The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

188 REYNOLDS’ WORKS not to offer the shghtest resistance. The coachman did not mean to do anything of the sort, he being well prepared beforehand tor this facetious portion of the drama. Mr. Malton, who was on the side nearest to the mounted highwayman, instantaneously let down the. window, and with a quick glance surveyed the daring individual, whose person was plainly visible by the light of the carriage lamps. Nevertheless, the keen eyes of Mr. Malton did not detect the real sex of the highwayman, nor could he even catch the slightest glimpse of Lady Bess’s countenance, inasmuch as she had put on a black mask just before stopping the carriage. But Mr. Malton did perceive that the mounted bandit was of somewhat slender make, and at all events afforded no outward indications of any extraordinary degree of physical strength. Such was the idea that immediately struck him as the result of the first few moments’ survey, and he had little leisure to regard her any longer, for he was almost instantaneously called upon to some prompt and decisive course of action by the demand which Lady Bess at once made for the surrender up of purses and jewels. She had not expected to find two gentlemen seated inside the vehicle, and on discovering that there were two she immediately apprehended resistance. ‘Therefore, drawing forth a pocket-pistol, she presented 1t at the window, saying, in the roughest tone to which she could possibly disguise her voice, ‘‘ Quick, quick, gentlemen! Your purses, your watches, and so forth! ”’ “No, by Heaven! not without a struggle for it!” ex- claimed Mr. Malton, who was a man of undaunted courage; and as he spoke he dashed open the door and sprang forth from the vehicle with a gold-headed cane in his hand. | The abrupt opening of the door made Lady Bess’s horse suddenly shv and veer around, and she, being at the instant unprepared for such a movement, was thrown heavily. Mr. Malton, with admirable presence of mind, clutched the horse’s bridle with one hand, while with the other he snatched up the pistol which Lady Bess had let drop and which had happened not to explode. Mr. Marlow, the elder partner, encouraged by the resolute bravery of his friend, likewise sprang forth, and perceiving at a glance that the highway- man who lay upon the ground was either stunned or killed Gomichbooks