The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

252 REYNOLDS’ WORKS at his throat, and a pistol at his head; the mask had fallen from the ruffian’s countenance, which wore a horrible ex- pression of mingled rage, hate, and doggedness. Just inside that same threshold, Spider Bill was likewise upon the floor; his mask had also come off, and he looked terribly crestfallen and frightened, as William Deveril kept him down in a similar manner to that adopted by the Spanish nobleman in respect to Chiffin, ‘Search this fellow, Frank,” said Don Diego, “ and take from him whatsoever weapons he may have about him.” The Cannibal’s pistols and clasp-knife were speedily drawn forth from his pockets by Francis Paton, while Adolphus (Lord Everton) also disarmed Spider Bill. “Now,” said the Marquis of EKagledean, who had assisted Angela to replace Madge Somers in the couch, “‘ let these two men be conducted down-stairs; and let them understand well that at the slightest attempt at resistance they will be shot through the head. Remorseless rufhans that they are, we may not hesitate to treat them as dogs if they thus provoke us.” | Don Diego Christoval and William Deveril accordingly suffered their prisoners to rise; and the room being soon cleared, Angela remained with Madge Somers, who, having swooned off at first, was now rapidly recovering. In dogged sullenness did Chiffin descend the stairs, while Spider Bill appealed for mercy as he was made to follow. ‘““ Silence! ”’ exclaimed the Marquis of Eagledean, in answer to the latter’s entreaties. ‘* You will hear what we have to say, and according as you respond to our queries, shall we deal with you.” The parlour on the ground floor was reached, the lamp was lighted, and the prisoners were placed in such a position that they could not possibly escape from the guardianship of those who now had them in custody. We should not, however, forget to observe that ere descending from the chamber above, Francis Paton had lingered behind the rest for a single moment, to exchange a warm pressure of the hand and a fond look with Angela, in congratulation of the issue of this perilous adventure. Perhaps also, ere resuming the thread of the narrative, it may be as well to pause for a few moments and describe how it was that such speedy succour was at hand. As the CONNIE IOOKS (E(0)