The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 253: what you’re looking at

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

246 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. “Is it possible,” demanded the speaker, “that you suspect nothing ?” ‘ Nothing.” ‘You observed a peculiar aromatic perfume when we entered the cell?’ he added. “Yes.” ‘And saw me wipe poor Gridley’s lips, when the blood and froth flowed from them 2” “And what of that?” said the puzzled Mr. Keeting, not in the least comprehending the drift of the other’s question. ‘‘ T will tell you—our brother has been drugged for the occasion.” “ Drugged? Oh, itis too horrible! You must be mistaken. Crab can never be such a villain.” “IT am all but sure of it. I shall at once take the handkerchief to London, and place it im the hands of the firat practical chemist of the day. If my surmise should prove a correct one, the affair shall be laid before the Chancellor instantly: I am not unknown to his lordship, and he will listen to any representation I may make upon the subject.” ‘‘ But what can be Crab’s motive ?” demanded his still doubting companion. ‘‘ Gridley is too poor to be an object of speculation to any one. You must be mistaken.” ‘© We shall see,” said Mr. Mordaunt; “ we shall see! Wealth is not the only reason for which men have been sequestered from the world ; in fact, my suspicions are ecomnuicloooks (SO