The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 347: what you’re looking at

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

330 THE COURT OF LONDON of rings on the fingers. But while they were yet despoiling it, the mist was swept somewhat away by one of those sudden squalls which often gush over the surface of Lake Leman, and the moonbeams poured fully down upon the face of the dead. Ejaculations of amazement burst simultaneously from the lips of the two fishers of men as they at once recognized that countenance. “ Tt is Smith, the Englishman! ” said Kobolt. ‘ And look, murder has been done, his shirt-front is stained with blood. See, it is not slime, and the water has not washed it out. Ah! the blood is evidently flowing still, and the corpse is as fresh as it can be. Why, this must have been done within an hour! 7; ‘““Come, don’t let us stand dallying here,’ growled Her- nani, ‘‘ but drag the body underneath the pier until the cart comes.”’ | This they did, and then, as their curiosity was now acutely sharpened, they drew forth the other corpse just far enough into the moonlight to enable them to examine it closely. Their astonishment was enhanced even into dismay on at once recognizing the other Englishman, whom they knew by the name of Thompson, and who it was evident had like- wise been murdered. But the latter had been shot through the head, for the mark was upon the brow where the bullet had entered, and the skull was shattered where it had passed out again. “Some fearful work has been done here this evening,” said Kobolt. ‘*‘ What can it all mean? How can it be?” ‘T suppose,” replied Hernani, “‘ that if we were to stand here conjecturing for a month we should not find out. But when I come to think of it, we ought to be grateful to those who have done the deed, for in a very little time it has put a handsome booty in our way.”’’ ‘“ Hush! I hear footsteps advancing,” suddenly ejaculated Kobolt. Then, having hastily dragged back the corpse of Malpas under the pier, they peeped forth from behind the massive and crowded piles. The moonlight was still pourmg down upon the scene, and they were thus enabled to observe a female form approaching the spot. The rays fell upon the woman’s countenance as she glanced quickly around in every Gomichoo cS (E(0) im