The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

218 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. “ He smells something !” was the general obser- vation. The dog’s howlings and efforts became terrific ; ° everything like fear seemed to have abandoned him, and he scratched and tore away the earth from beneath the door till he came to the stone steps, which effec- tually barred his passage. Nothing daunted, the faithful creature tried to gnaw his way, and when he found that was impossible, looked with piteous intelli- gence into the eyes of the spectators, as if to implore their assistance. At this moment a policeman, attracted by the crowd and noise, made his appearance in the yard. Like the crowd, he, too, was struck by the action of the dog, and, after listening to the comments, surmises, and suspicions of the neighbours, sent off a man to inform the inspector on duty; who, on his arrival, at once gave orders to force open the door. The lock was a strong one, and many efforts were made before it could be broken. No sooner, however, was the task achieved, than Pepper, with a brisk bark, leaped down the steps, dashed into the inner room, and began scratching under the bed. . The officer, who had followed with several of the mob, could distinguish nothing till they had lit the gas ; all then appeared in its usual state. The inner room was next examined; but there was no sign either of a struggle or of bloodshed. “Strange!” said the policeman. COniiclooecl SS (SO