Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

62 ALFRED DE ROSANN. the stratagem passed off so well, that Champignon, emboldened by the event of his artifice, soon adopted such various and crooked devices to abstract the cus- ‘tom of the Cadran Bleu for the benefit of the Cadran Rouge, that suspicion became changed into convic- tion, doubts gave way to damning proofs, and the un- fortunate wretch was condemned to accompany Pierre Belle-Rose and others on a small excursion to Brest. Hitherto Champignon-had not once opened his lips since the chain left the walls of Bicétre : he maintained a strict silence, and appeared to be engaged in deep thought. But his face did not wear a very melan- choly aspect ; neither did sighs nor tears betray any extraordinary degree of feeling as to his present situation. It was, however, very evident that an im- portant affair occupied his imagination ; for never did Newton, when reflecting upon the centripetal and centrifugal properties of matter, appear more oc- cupied by intense cogitation, than did Champignon at this moment. He seemed totally heedless of the weather, of his predicament, and of the presence of his companions, This uncommon taciturnity shortly attracted the attention of Belle-Rose. “ Messieurs,’ said he, addressing those convicts who were nearest, ‘I dare swear this worthy gentle- man, our honourable companion in misfortune,’’ pointing to Champignon, “will enliven us with a song ; for heis apparently a vastly entertaining fellow, if we may judge by his loquacity.” A loud and boisterous laugh at the ex-restaura- teur’s expense followed this speech,—for the hyper- bole, which represented his silence, particularly pleased the galley-slaves. “What is his name?’’ inquired Belle-Rose of a Gen- darme, when the mirth he had excited was somewhat subsided. “ Champignon,” was the abrupt answer. “Ah! who calls ?’? exclaimed the object of the Ccommicloooks. conn