The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 400: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRETENDED FRIEND 383 “ No, not in an accidental manner,” rejoined Varian. “ I learned from the regular prison barber that you, or, rather, your man here, had got the custom of the place, and so I came to see you. The fact is, as I have just now said, I am an intimate friend of Emmerson’s, but I dare not openly display the deep interest I feel in him. You will excuse me for declining to enter into particulars? Suffice it to say that whatever I do in this matter is entirely of a private nature. I must not be seen in it, I must not be known in it. Emmerson himself must not even be suffered to learn that any effort at all is being made in his behalf — at least, not until its result be known, for it were useless to buoy him up with hope unless it is certain to be fulfilled.” “ Well, then, what do you propose, and how can we help you in any way?” demanded the Hangman, who did not exactly see what Theodore was driving at, or appeared to be driving at. ‘‘ Your assistant here, Mr. Coffin, has aecess to Mr. Emmer- son,’ continued Theodore. ‘* Could he not glean from the unhappy man whether, if the means of escape were put within his reach, he would avail himself of them? ”’ ‘“ Yes, this can be done fast enough,” said the Hangman, exchanging a rapid glance of significancy with Dick Mel- moth, but not so rapid as to escape Theodore’s observation. “Well, then, suppose what you have suggested is done, what next? ”’ “ Having first ascertained whether Emmerson would avail himself of the means of escape if placed within his power,’ continued Theodore, ‘ it would follow, as a matter of course, to see whether such means could by any possi- bility be afforded.” “Well, and you would enter into it all, and you would pay forit?”’ asked the Hangman, with another quick glance toward Dick Melmoth. “Ii I were not prepared to do so, I should not be here this moment,’ said Theodore. ‘‘ As for my readiness to be the secret mover in any stratagem that may ensure my unfortu- nate friend’s escape from an ignominious death, I have sought you out for the purpose, and as for my means of remunerating you, behold! ”’ and with these words Theodore displayed a number of bank-notes, which he took from a pocketbook, and for the possession of which he was indebted EORNICLOO cS (C(O)