The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

42 REYNOLDS’ WORKS The discovery of these torches was hailed with joy by the burglars; and after a few moments’ deliberation they deter- mined upon seeking for the means of issue by that flight of steps where they had remained concealed, but down which they had not dared to venture in the pitchy darkness. Taking the two torches with them into the vestiary, they lighted them there, and descended the circular flight of stone stairs. This descent was very deep, but at length it seemed to terminate in some cavern, and now the glare of the torches was reflected upon the surface of water. The vaults were flooded from the leakings of the Trent which rolled above them. But ah! why springs that ejaculation of astonishment from the lips of Chifin? It is because the glare of the torches has suddenly revealed to his eyes the face of a corpse floating upon the water. And that first ejaculation is immediately followed by a second, as he necOnar the countenance of Ralph Farefield. The burglars stood gazing in silent wooaee upon the dead body, until it sluggishly floated to the very foot of the steps, -and then Chifiin, stooping down, stretched forth his hand, and, grasping the collar of the drowned man’s coat, drew the corpse up the steps. It was but little changed, and did not seem as lf it had been in the water more than three or four days. But it was not with any hope of restoring life, nor with the least intention of giving any alarm relative to this discovery, that the burglars dragged forth the dead body from the flood. It was for the simple purpose of rifling its pockets of whatsoever they might contain. Having done this, and possessing themselves of the little jewelry and slender stock of money which Ralph had about him at the time when he met his death, Chiffin and his associates left the corpse lying upon the steps, and finding that there was no avenue of escape in that direction, they retraced their way up into the chapel. Here they were compelled to extinguish their torches, lest the glare shining through the windows might attract attention; but as the castle was now once more quiet, they experienced little difficulty in accomplishing a safe retreat from the premises. CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)