The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

THE KING’S BENCH 223 seedy-looking lawyer with an expression of mingled incre- dulity and superciliousness. “ Not I indeed,’’ returned Jenkins. ‘* I suppose you would not pay the debt if you could; but would rather get out, snap your fingers at your creditor, run over to France, and make him take a farthing in the pound.” ‘But is it possible to manage this? ’’ exclaimed Malpas, somewhat staggered by the air of decision which the attorney assumed. ‘To be sure it is,’’ was the still more positive response. “And how? ’”’ demanded Malpas, looking and speaking more civilly. | “ By bail,’ rejoined Mr. Jenkins; and he tossed off two glasses of wine in rapid succession. “Ah! I have heard, by the bye, that something could be done in this way,” said Malpas, catching eagerly at the suggestion. | “To be sure it can,’’ continued the attorney. Then, tapping his prominent nose with his very dirty forefinger, and looking what may be termed greasily knowing with his oily countenance, he said, ‘‘ You are arrested on mesne process; and of course by putting In an appearance and plea you can keep off judgment. Well, then, by appearing to the writ it 1s as much as to say that you mean to defend the action and go to trial; and by meaning to go to trial, -you can put in bail in the interval. This is what is called justifying; and it’s easy done now, as the bail would have to go before the judge in chambers.”’ “ But | cannot get any two persons to put bail in for me to such an amount,’’ observed Malpas. ‘‘ Remember that I am detained here for five thousand guineas.”’ ‘Well, and you must have two bail each able to prove himself worth ten thousand,” returned Mr. Jenkins. “Two men worth twenty thousand guineas between them! ”’ ejaculated Malpas, in despair. ‘‘I cannot obtain such security.”’ | “ But I can,’’ said Mr. Jenkins, slyly and drily. “ You can? ”’ ejaculated Malpas, starting with joy. “ Yes, to be sure,’’ responded Jenkins. “ In fact, I brought in with me just now a couple of bail for you to look at; and | think they are just the very thing.”’ ‘“ Good heavens! ”’ cried the colonel, in amazement; ‘ do ECORNICLOO© <S (C(O)