The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

198 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘“ Not a mouthful, and not a drain,” rejoined the prisoner, eruffy. ‘ Do you think a feller has got any stomach for erub when he is in such a precious plight as this? I wish you’d leave me to myself, undisturbed, to sleep away my bad thoughts, and then I shall thank you.” “Very well,’”’ answered the inspector, ‘‘ you shall not be disturbed,’’ and he then locked the huge door of the cell. As the duke and the official issued forth into the street again, the latter said, in a servile manner, “ See, my lord, what it is to have a great title. If 1 hadn’t happened to have told that fellow who your lordship is, he never would have — given up the ring.” “And as I am indebted to you for so much civility and attention,’’ responded Marchmont, “‘ you must not feel it an insult if I proffer you some little token of my gratitude.” At the same time his lordship thrust a ten-pound note into the inspector’s hand, and then hurried away, as 1 for the purpose of cutting short the thanks which the recipient oi this bounty began to profter. But let us return to the Burker. Scarcely had the door of the cell again closed upon him when he gave a sort of bound upon his seat, as if to afford ebullition to his hitherto pent-up feelings of delight. Not only had he now in his possession a little instrument by the aid of which much might be done, and the important deed of an escape perhaps be effected, but he had likewise the assurance that the Duke of March- mont was not abandoning him to his fate, but that he was in- teresting himself in him. “So,” said the Burker, thus continuing the train of his ideas, “‘ if the worst comes to the worst and I don’t get out of limbo now, but find myself cast for death at Liverpool, there’s a nobby cove as will stand my friend; and I shouldn’t wonder if he was to bring the case of Mr. Barnes Esquire afore the House of Lords, and say as how it would be a thun- dering shame to put so useful a genelman out of the way by making his neck acquainted with a thing that’s only fit for a hoss or a hass, a halter to wit. Ah! it’s a blessed good thing to have a duke as one’s pal, for somehow or another he’s sure to get me safe out of this precious mess that Pm in. And if so be I do come off scott free, I’ll hunt out that sneaking, snivelling rascal, Jack Smedley, and I’ll have his life as sure as his name’s what it is. Perhaps I shall go across (ele) m "comic ,.OOKS