The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

THE HEAD CONSTABLE 181 was altogether calculated to sustain that sensation of wild interest and alarm. The constabie, rushing onward, soon outstripped most of the domestics; Lady Saxondale kept close behind him, and Adelaide was not far distant. In this manner the corridors and passages were soon threaded, and as they entered the western side of the castle, the sounds of loud voices, speaking in an excited manner, and emanating from the chapel, guided them all thither. On entering that place, the spectacle which burst on the view of Lady Saxondale was Chiffin the Cannibal struggling desperately with the steward, the butler, and two of the footmen. ‘These four, however, had got too strong a hold upon him, and were maintaining their grasp too tenaciously, either to allow the ruffian to escape or to do them much harm. His heavy boots. certainly inflicted a few severe kicks upon their shins, but his arms were held fast, and - when he endeavoured to butt at them, and even to bite, with all the ferocity of a savage beast, they were perfectly strong enough as well as sufficiently brave and resolute to retain him in their clutch. The head constable, now darting forward, put an end to the fellow’s desperate struggles, by seizing his legs and thus causing him to fall heavily on the pavement of the chapel, a proceeding which well-nigh brought down with equal force those who held him. No sooner was Chiffin the Cannibal thus prostrate, when handkerchiefs were promptly put in requisition to bind his limbs, and the rufhan was now overcome and powerless. As he lay flat on his back, he cast his grim savage looks around. . His eyes encountered those of Lady Saxondale, and not quicker is the lightning-flash athwart the sky than was the glance which she flung upon him, significantly bidding him to remain quiet and hold his peace. There was promise in that look, and the thought darted into Chiffin’s mind that it would be much better for him to keep silent, and not proclaim to those present his acquaintance with her ladyship, as by so doing he would only convert her into an enemy, whereas she might possibly serve him as a friend. “Now, make the fellow sit up,” exclaimed the constable, “‘ while we determine how he is to be disposed of, for I pre- sume he was found as an intruder here, and is but little likely to give a good account of himself.’’ | The domestics lifted the Cannibal up, and placed him on CONnNIEDOOKS (C(O)