Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

266 REYNOLDS’ WORKS of the new door, they put their feet on the trap, and it’s done in a jifty.”’ ‘And the assistance you require of me,’ said Madge, now fully penetrating the object for which her own serv- ices were needed, “is to pull the bolt, or touch the secret spring, or whatever the contrivance is, just at the proper instant? ”’ “ Right again, old gal,’’ answered Chiffin. ‘‘ You see that ereat lumbering bit of furniture against the old door. Well, it’s nothing but front and sides. The back and the shelves are all taken out, and so any person can hide inside of it. That’s the place where you will be. There’s a hole in the front here. Look, you see it, where you can peep through. You wil have to go on your knees, because the spring that lets the trap fall is in the floor just behind that furniture. So, when once you have plumped down on your knees, not to say your prayers,’ parenthetically observed the Cannibal, with another diabolical laugh, ‘“‘ you can peep with one eye through the hole, and catch hold of the iron knob of the spring with one hand at the same time. It works precious easy, as I will show you when the moment comes. But you must take precious good care not to let me down through the trap instead of the two genelmen.”’ Again did Chiffin indulge in a coarse but subdued guffaw, while Madge Somers, with her wonted imperturbability, remarked, ‘* Don’t be afraid, I shall be looking out for my reward, and as it will be in your pocket I shall not send you down into the well. But when do you think this business is likely to take place? ”’ “ T only wanted somebody that I could rely upon to help,” answered Chiffin, “‘ in order to take the necessary measures to get the two genelmen here as soon as possible. Now that I have seen you, and you’ve agreed, I’ll set about it without delay. Perhaps, if you was to call here the day after to-morrow, I should be able to tell you more. Or shall I look up at the cottage? ”’ ‘““No, I shall not be found there,’ answered Madge. “ Well, I think it was high time for you to leave that wretched, tumble-down crib,’ observed the Cannibal. “You will call here, eh? ”’ “Yes, the day after to-morrow. If you are busy else- where, leave word with old Sol when I am likely to be wanted, -_ Gomichbooks (E(0) mr