The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

oe Lae ee en oe es * a eee > § SA San aera - ee eS Re er ea eee a eee ee Se oe ee Eo ee Se ee a Mee \ @é - . AGAR TOWN eee 25: companions in their sinister expression and evil nature. He was clad in a squalid garb, and his appearance alto- gether was such that it seemed scarcely credible any person in his senses would have trusted him out of sight to get change for even half a crown. Yet it appeared that Lady Bess knew her man, and saw something in him which convinced her that he would faithfully execute her com- mission. ‘This surmise on her part seemed fully corrobo- rated by the zeal with which he had at first volunteered, and the evident pleasure with which he found himself the select object of her choice. “Now, Tony,” continued Lady Bess, drawing forth a small sealed packet from her pocket, ‘‘ you must take this, and run as hard as you can down to King’s Cross. There you will see a tall gentleman enveloped in a cloak, and with his hat slouched over his features. He will be lounging about near the statue. You must aeccost him, and say, ‘ The night is dark.’ He will answer, ‘ But it can be made brighter.’ If he gives you this reply, you will at once thrust the little packet into his hand and speed off instantaneously. But should he not give that reply, you will know he is not the individual whom you seek, and you must look out for another answering the description I have given. However, as it is not likely on this warm summer night that any individual, unless for a particular purpose, would wrap himself up in a cloak, it is next to certain that the first whom you meet thus muffled, will be the one for whom the packet is destined. Having performed your commission, you can come back and enjoy your share of the supper I have ordered, and here is a guinea to indemnify you for your loss of so much of the punch as will be disposed of in your absence.” Tony Wilkins promised to acquit himself faithfully of his errand, and taking the little parcel, he secured it in the pocket of the greasy coat that hung loose about his person. He then stuck a battered hat upon his head, and was about to hurry forth, when Lady Bess stopped him for a moment, saying, “I do not question your honesty toward me, Tony, because I know that all of you here would do me a service if you could, —yes, even Chiffin, who growled at me just now,”’ and as she spoke she bent her eyes with a perfect blaze of lustre upon the Cannibal, who evidently shrank from their GomiGnooks (S©)