The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

110 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. rally sold in the cellar was coffee ; indeed, it was the only ostensible commerce. Those who were known as safe parties by the landlord could always procure a glass or two of gin, or whiskey, which latter, be it un- derstood, had never received the exciseman’s permit. On entering the den, Tim looked round; but it was several minutes before he could discover the object: of his search—which was no other than the fellow so well known in Manchester by the name of the Devil’s Hack. From the nature of his professional pursuits the scamp - would have been scouted from more respectable society ; and that was one reason why he had taken up his abode with Flin. Another was, that he often picked up bits of information which he communicated to the police, who knew how to turn them to account. The ruffian changed colour as soon as he saw in, and shifted about uneasily upon his seat. The little weaver, without taking the least notice of his manner, walked across the cellar, and drawing a low wooden stool from under the table, sat down beside him. “So,” he said, “still in the old corner 2” “‘And where should I be?” replied the ruffian, in a tone in whch defiance and deference were strangely blended. ‘I have been driven from every decent tap- room and public in the town. Thanks to you,” he added, “ thanks to you.” *‘ ‘Thanks to your own vicious habits and bad charac- ter, which made you prefer acting the part of a spy to honest work.” COniiclooecl SS (SO