Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

120 REYNOLDS’ WORKS) I was thus enabled, when he was busily engaged in turning out all the things, to snatch up a bonnet and shawl and glide from the room. Locking the door upon Mrs. Knight and her son, I slipped on the bonnet and shawl, reached the staircase, descended it rapidly, and issued forth from the hotel. It was now dusk, and I sped precipitately along the street, gained the postern, passed the fortifications without hindrance, and was soon on the wide open plain stretching toward the Catalonian Hills. I proceeded onward with but little relaxation of speed for nearly two hours, when I was compelled to sit down and rest. It was now a beautiful moonlit night, and I could see to a considerable distance. Three or four habitations were discernible amidst the sylvan scenery which formed a large portion of the landscape, but I dared not seek shelter at any of these, for fear that if information had been given to the Barcelonese police the entire neighbourhood might be scoured by those officers - and I should be arrested. I therefore resolved to walk on- ward throughout the whole night, and thus place as great a distance as possible between myself and the city which I had leit. “Having rested as long as I dared, I pursued my way again. I had purposely stricken out of the main road, and was plunging deeper and deeper into the wilds and fastnesses of Catalonia. I had read of the generous disposition and high-minded nature of the Catalans, and resolved, when morning dawned, and I had travelled far enough to bé beyond the reach of pursuit, to stop at some cottage and ask for food and shelter, for I had a little money in my pocket, which I had received from Mrs. Knight. My spirits did not flag; indeed, there was something wildly romantic and ex- hilarating in this journey, amidst the bold and striking scenery which the powerful effulgence of moon and stars brought out in strong relief. It must not be however thought that I was indifferent to the suspicion of guilt in respect to the jewels, which would be naturally confirmed by my precipitate flight, but I resolved, so soon as I should have an opportunity, to write a letter containing the requisite explanations to Mrs. Knight, showing the infamous conduct of her son and how I had fled as the only alternative to escape prison. ‘‘T pressed courageously forward, stopping every now Eomicbooks.¢co