Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

across one’s brains,’ ~ THE KINCHIN - KEN 8g that if you venture to speak a word even too loud — much less attempt a cry — you’re a dead man. Now then, Lizzy, let his clapper wag again.” The Gallows’ Widow removed the gag in obedience to this command; and Page now breathed freely in one sense, though not in another — for an awful consternation was upon him, and death appeared to stare him in the face. ““ You see, my ben-cull,’’ resumed the Magsman, after a pause, and speaking in a cool, deliberate tone, “ the fact is that you’re caught in your own net. The tables are turned upon you, and you must now take the consequences.”’ “ Will you murder me? ”’ asked Page, with a hollow groan. “Not such a fool as that,’ responded the Magsman. “ Your carcass would not even be worth the price of dog’s- meat for the same weight in horse-flesh; whereas you may manage to raise five hundred guineas for your ransom.”’ “Five hundred guineas! ’’ ejaculated the miserable com- mercial traveller, now bitterly repenting his folly in entering into this enterprise against the formidable enemies who had not only baffled him but also got him completely in their power. “Well, ain’t it enough?” growled a voice, which Page immediately recognized to be that of the Big Beggarman. The commercial traveller groaned again, but made no reply; and throwing himself back in the vehicle, he gave way to his melancholy reflections. The Gallows’ Widow, the Magsman, and the landlord of the Beggar’s Staff now proceeded to chat familiarly amongst themselves; and the coach rolled rapidly along, the driver frequently whipping his horses to inerease their speed. Upwards of three-quarters of an hour thus passed; and at length the vehicle stopped. Page was immediately compelled to alight; and he was conducted between the Magsman and the Big Beggarman along a place which he took to be a court or alley, — for the mere fact of being blindfolded sharpened his pereeption relative to the nature of the echoes raised by the trampling of feet and the sounds of voices. “ Hold your tongue, mind,” said the Magsman, as they thus proceeded onward, “ or it will be the worse for you, depend upon it.” “ The butt-end of a horse-pistol is a nasty .thing coming ’ added the Beggarman. GOmiicsdoo €5) (C(©)