The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

252 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. scorn of those who have hitherto trembled at your frown. Providence,’ he hypocritically added, “ has made me the chosen instrument of unmasking you.” ‘Villain!’ muttered his partner, looking wildly round the room, as if for some weapon to silence the mocking tongue of the speaker ; ‘‘ you prate of Provi- dence ; you forget how long I have known you, your pettifogging ways, your aptitude for crime.” ‘And who profited by them?” demanded Small, fiercely. ‘‘ You, who employed me to do the dirty work of the firm, and reaped the gains? You, who for years treated me like a dog, and threw me a dog’s pittance? You forget,’ he added, “that the hound you spurned, trampled on and il-used, could bite—but I have no wish to trample upon a fallen man. I give you four-and-twenty hours for reflection, for atone- ment, if possible ; at the end of which time, as an honest man and a christian, I shall do my duty, and place the proofs of your delinquency in the hands of the magis- trates.”’ “You will?” demanded Grindem, glaring fiercely on him. ** Most assuredly,” was the cool reply. “Liar!” shouted the merchant; ‘I know your object ; it is to extort a price for your silence: but I'll disappoint you. [’ll dissolve the firm, leave my wealth to found an hospital for fools—die—die!” he roared, ‘rather than gratify your avarice with one penny,” ““ No, you won't,” replied his tormentor, not in the COniiclooecl SS (SO