The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 249: what you’re looking at

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

232 THE COURT OF -LONDON here. But you were not one of the gentlemen who hired US ec ‘No,’ observed Hernani, the Italian, ‘ I’ll swear that he was not one of them. He’s a prettier looking fellow, though they were both handsome enough.’ ‘“ [did not for a moment wish you to infer that I was one of them,’’ remarked Jocelyn. ‘“‘ But what I require is that you relate to me every detail and particular connected with that affair whereof we are speaking.’’ ‘Before we do so,” said Kobolt, ‘“‘ there are two little preliminaries to be fulfilled. The first is for you to tell us why you wish to ascertain these particulars at all, and the second is to afford us a proof that you know how to reward handsomely as well as to catechize closely.”’ ‘“In respect to the first condition which you have set forth,” returned Jocelyn, ‘‘ it must suffice for you to know that you will not in the slightest degree endanger yourselves by giving me the information I seek, and secondly, I have twenty louis set apart for you in my waistcoat pocket. Here, give me your hand, Kobolt, and I will count them into your palm.” ‘This is businesslike,’’ said Walden the Switzer. ‘“ Nothing like Englishmen for doing things in a business- _ like manner,” said Kobolt. “You can go into the lght,”’ said Jocelyn, when he had siven Kobolt the money, “ and satisfy yourself that they are all good pieces.”’ “The chink is enough for me,” observed the ruffian, as he made the coin jingle in his hand. Then, consigning it to his pocket, he continued thus: “Some weeks ago an English gentleman, who gave the same of Smith — wasn’t it Smith, Hernani? ”’ | ‘ Just so,” was the reply. ‘‘ Nine Englishmen out of every ten are named Smith.” - ‘Well, then, this Monsieur Smith managed to introduce himself to us,—no matter how,— and after a time he engaged us for a particular business. We were to get a post- chaise and four horses to carry off two ladies from the Eng- lish princess’s villa. One lady was to be walking inside the grounds in one particular spot, the other also inside the erounds, but at another spot. We were to seize upon them, seal their lips — not with kisses,’”’ added the fellow, chuckling .) Gomichoo CS mm