The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 399: what you’re looking at

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

382 THE COURT OF LONDON what do you want me to do, and what do you mean by handsome payment? ”’ ‘Can we have a little conversation together without fear of interruption? ’’ asked Theodore. ‘ This shop is very public, and we oe be overheard.” ‘Well, then,”’ said a growling, savage kind of as. “ step in here, aad we will talk the matter over.’ Theader started, even to the risk of having the Scissors thrust into his eyes, as that voice, coming from behind, struck his ear, and on looking une he beheld a most repulsive individual, standing on the threshold of the door opening into the little parlour behind the shop, for the Hangman had been attentively listening all the while to the preceding colloquy between Dick Melmoth and the customer. Accordingly, a finishing stroke being given to the hair- clipping operation, Theodore passed into the back room, where the Hangman bade him sit down, saying, ‘‘ I see you have a little business in hand, and we will talk it over quietly. I suppose you know who I am, and if not, I’ll act as my own master of the ceremonies and introduce myself as Mr. Dan’el Coffin. ‘This chap here is my assistant,’”’ he added, pointing to Melmoth, ‘“‘ and so we can talk before him. Come, shut the door, Dick, and sit down along with us.’’ “You doubtless overheard what I was saying to your assistant,’’ observed Varian, conquering the mingled re- pugnance and terror which he for a moment felt on finding himself in the company of that dreadful man, who, as he had learned from Sir Douglas Huntingdon, was a. principal actor in the memorable scenes at the hut near Shooter’s Hall. ‘To be sure,” exclaimed the Hangman. “ The moment I heard you beginning to talk serious to Dick Melmoth here, I began to listen *very attentive indeed. It’s my way, because I never let a chance escape.”’ “ Well, well, Mr. Coffin,’”’ said Theodore, ‘‘ we have come together, and need not discuss how it has been brought about. The fact is, I am a very dear and intimate friend of Mr. Emmerson — ”’ ‘Ah! then you came to my shop just now with an in- tention,’ interrupted the Hangman, “and not in a pro- miscuous manner? ”’ ye] ECORMICLIOO KS (E(0) im