The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

THE HEAD CONSTABLE 185 of a candle which he beckoned to one of the footmen to hold close for the purpose. — “Come, my lord,’ said Chiffin, now getting very uneasy, “do speak a good word in my favour. Don’t be ungrateful on account of what I did for your lordship.’ But at this moment an ejaculation burst from the lips of the head constable, an ejaculation of mingled horror and astonishment; and then, as suddenly resuming his wonted official composure, he said, ‘‘ There is not the slightest necessity for carrying this investigation any further. The man is my prisoner on a far more serious charge than any which might at first be brought against him. His name is Chiffn, and he is a murderer! ”’ Cries of horror burst from the lips of many present. The Cannibal, perceiving that he was recognized from a printed description which the head constable had in his possession, sald not another word, but reflected gloomily within himself upon the chances of Lady Saxondale endeavouring to do anything to save him. ‘It now remains for consideration,’ the constable went on to say, “‘ how we can best dispose of the fellow until the morning, for I should not like the risk of taking him away while it is dark; he would endeavour to escape.” “Her ladyship,’”’ observed the steward, ‘ will permit me and some of the others to help you coy him over to Gainsborough.” “No, let the constable have his own way,’ Lady Saxon- dale Gaatenkd to observe. ‘‘ He knows best, and he is responsible for the safe custody of his prisoner.” The official reflected for a few moments. He thought to himself that as Chiffin was such a desperate character, it might be perilous to venture his removal in the care of the servants of her ladyship’s household, and that it would be much better to wait until daylight, and then convey him in the charge of his own police officers before the nearest magistrate for identification, so that with proper authority he might be removed up to London. Besides, the head constable had an eye to the reward for Chiffin’s apprehension, and it would not at all answer his purpose to afford the fellow the slightest opportunity to escape under the cover of darkness. He looked around, and he thought to himseli that the chapel where this scene took place would serve CONNIE LOOKS (C(O)