Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

66 THE COURT OF LONDON powerfully built, and remarkably broad across the shoulders. But his countenance was precisely that which a novelist would describe or an artist depict as belonging to a villain of the most desperate character. His coal-black hair was rough and coarse, his brows were thick and long, overhang- ing small and restless eyes, and his bushy whiskers encroached on his face even to the cheek-bones. He was dressed in a shabby and negligent manner; and when Page was intro- duced by the Gallows’ Widow into his presence, he was lounging in an armchair, smoking a pipe. “Ah! my fine fellow,’ he exclaimed, the moment the commercial traveller stood before him, ‘‘ I needn’t ask who you are, for I had a pretty good glimpse of your face last night in the lane. Sit down, my boy, and let us know what has brought you here. Lizzy, my dear,” he added, turning toward the Gallows’ Widow, “ put the bingo out upon the table.” } : The woman produced a bottle of brandy and some glasses from a cupboard, and then took a seat near her paramour. ‘“T suppose it’s all right about the pocketbook? ”’ said the Magsman. ‘““ Yes — and here is the money,’’ returned the Gallows’ Widow, handing the rufhan the bag of gold, which he tossed upon the bed. ‘ This gentleman wishes some particular business to be done, and that is why I brought him. The Beggarman heard his story; and we agreed that he might be introduced to you without further delay.” ‘“ And what is the nature of the business? ’”’ demanded the man. Page forthwith repeated the same tale which he had al- ready narrated in the parlour below; and the robber listened attentively. ‘“ Well, what do you think of this, Lizzy? ”’ he said, turning toward his mistress, when Page had done speaking. “| think that it is all straightforward enough, or else I should not have brought him up here,’ was the answer. “ I must, however, observe that I did entertain certain suspicions before we entered the house; for, according to my usual custom when bringing a stranger here, I stopped, and made this gentleman stop also, in a dark place, Just to ascertain whether anybody in the shape of an officer was dogging us. Three men passed by, one after another, and at short inter- ) Gomichdooks (E(@)