The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 111: what you’re looking at

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94 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the candle which Mrs. Webber had placed upon the stairs that had so terrified Lettice Rodney. The murder was accomplished, as we have already de- scribed, and scarcely was the blow dealt when the vile old housekeeper intimated to the two assassins that she had been disturbed by a false alarm. ‘What was it you thought as how you heerd? ” inquired the Burker. ‘A door shutting up-stairs,’’ answered Mrs. Webber. “Then what if that lady as you spoke of has been a-listen- ing and heerd summut; and perhaps she don’t dare come down, but will open her winder and speak to any one as goes by, so that in a few minutes the place’ll be surrounded, the whole neighbourhood alarmed, and we have no more chance of getting clear off than a cat without claws in a par- tickler place.”’ Mrs. Webber’s countenan¢é grew full of dismay as she lis- tened to this rapidly uttered speech on the Burker’s part, and the tenor of which appeared indeed but too reasonable. ‘“ Well, what’s to be done? ”’ asked Bill Scott. “By jingo! we must do for her also,” ejaculated Barney, with a look of fiercest resolve. ‘“‘ Come, lead the way, old dame, and we'll look to the swag arterwards. He won’t run off with it,’ added the ruffian, with a look of horrible signifi- cancy toward the old miser’s corpse, which was bending with its face down upon the table. Meanwhile Lettice Rodney was a prey to the most terrible apprehensions, her guilty conscience suggesting all kinds of alarms. She thought that the reason why there was a light still burning below was because the officers of justice had been sent for and were waiting to take her into custody. There was madness in her brain. She flew to the window of her room with the idea of opening it and precipitating herself into the street; but no, she could not die thus horribly, — or, if she survived, find herself frightfully mutilated. Ah! all in a moment an idea struck her. What if she were to hasten down-stairs, throw herself at the miser’s feet, confess the trick, but beseech him to pardon her, and in return for his forgiveness she would give him such information as would enable him to keep the three thousand pounds for himself. She could tell him that his ward, Mrs Rayner, was no more, and that she had perished in a manner which would prevent CONNIE OO KS