The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 248: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FISHERS OF MEN 231 interview with him, but all depends on your answer to the questions I have Just put.”’ “My object is by no means a hostile one,” said Jocelyn, “but will put many louis into Kobolt’s pocket. One word more: Doctor Maravelli gave me the hint that I should find Kobolt here, and now you may as well admit that you are the man.”’ The fellow looked slowly around, plunging his eyes with keen and straining penetration into the depths of the mist, which had now closed over the lake again, to ascertain whether there were any policemen on the watch at a distance. Then, evidently satisfied on this head, he observed, “‘ Well, I am Kobolt, and these,’ he added, as his two companions came more forward, ‘‘ are Hernani and Walden.”’’ “ Which names,” said “Jocelyn, as the two villainous- looking countenances were now as completely disclosed to his view as that of the foremost individual, ‘‘ were likewise mentioned to me by Doctor Maravell.”’ “Well, we have no reason to doubt your good faith,” said Kobolt, fixing his eyes piercingly upon our hero. “ You are a good-looking youth, and scarcely seem capable of treachery. Come, let us stand beneath the jetty. Itis useless to run a risk of being seen. But you are an Englishman, eh? Well, I thought so by the look of you, and I am all the better pleased, because we pick up an occasional job from English- men, and have experienced, moreover, that they pay well.”’ Thus speaking, Kobolt passed underneath the jetty, ac- companied by his two confederates and followed by Jocelyn. And now they were enveloped in almost total darkness, so that they could indeed converse without fear of observa- tion should any one approach along the border of the lake. Loftus entertained no apprehension on finding himself in this lonely spot and in the deep obscurity along with such desperate men, for, in the first place, fear was unknown to him, and, secondly, he knew full well that if they wished to make away with him, they could as easily do it by the side of the jetty as under it. “You have just observed that you sometimes find em- ployment from English persons,” said Jocelyn. ‘‘ Perhaps you remember that about three weeks ago you were engaged to carry off two ladies from a certain villa? ”’ “ Yes,’ exclaimed Kobolt, ‘‘ a villa in the neighbourhood ) CORNICLOOL cS (CO) im