Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 332: what you’re looking at

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

MR. RAMSEY a15 ‘Tn course not,” added her father. ‘‘ We ain’t partickler, so long as the blunt is forthcoming;”’ and he laughed in a manner which made Ramsey’s blood run cold in his veins and his flesh creep upon his bones. “ Well, after all, you can but refuse, and there will be no harm done,” said the latter, In a musing tone and after a short pause. ‘‘ But it is impossible that you can misunder- stand me for a single moment. In a word, the baronet must be put out of the way, or there will be a general exposure, in which we shall all sink! ”’ “This is serious, but not too serious for us to undertake,”’ - returned the Beggarman. ‘‘ At the same time, we don’t fear anythink that may come of such an exposure as you talk of.”’ ‘“ Will five hundred guineas, in good sterling gold, induce you to rid us of this accursed Sir Richard Stamford? ”’ de- manded Ramsey, worked up to a pitch of desperation by the ruin that stared him in the face. ‘“ Have you the cash by you?” asked the Beggarman. “Yes, I have brought it with me,’ returned Ramsey, producing a heavy bag from beneath his cloak; “ and it is yours if you will set out with me for Aylesbury, to do the deed, this very night.” As he uttered these last words in a hoarse whisper, he again secured the money about his person, while his eyes were fixed with an expression of anxious inquiry upon the countenance of the burly villain. ‘JT will guarantee that it shall be done, but I can’t do it alone,’ responded the latter, after a few instants’ deep re- flection. ‘* Must it be done to-night? ”’ ‘““We must set off for Aylesbury to-night,” answered Ram- sey, impatiently. ‘‘ Martin will be devoured with the most cruel suspense until my return; and I dare not return unless it be with the certainty that the man who holds my very hfe in his hand — ”’ “ Well, we won’t waste time by talking over it,” interrupted the Beggarman. ‘‘ But we must see the Magsman without delay. He is at the house on t’other side of the river, where the baronet was confined.”’ ‘““T will accompany you to him,” said Ramsey. ‘‘ Come, let us depart.”’ “This moment,’’ observed the Beggarman. ‘‘ We must <S' Go COMIC OOO)