Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

A TRAGEDY 13 ‘Well, gentlemen,” he said, ‘‘ so you are come according to appointment? My eyes, what a lark I have just had! There was two women a little way farther on in that direc- tion,” jerking his thumb over his shoulder toward the castle, ‘and when they saw me they screeched out as if they took me for a highwayman. Now really, gentlemen, I think | look a trifle more respectable than that, don’t [?”’ and Mr. Chiffin gave a deep, chuckling laugh at what he considered to be the merriness of his conceit. ‘““ Ah, I suppose they are the same we saw just now at the hut,”’ said Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘Is it possible that they are soing to the castle?’”’ “Well, it looks like it,’ responded Chiffin. ‘ But, I say, gentlemen, if anything is to be done to-night, we must look sharp. For it’s now close upon ten o’clock, and at eleven, you know, her ladyship will peep into the chapel of the castle to see if I am there.”’ “ Well,’ said Mr. Gunthorpe, “‘ you are to introduce us thither along with you. I suppose there are plenty of places where we can be secreted, while you hold your discourse with her ladyship? ”’ ‘“Plenty,’’ answered Chiffin. ‘“ There’s the steps leading from the vestiary down into the vaults; you can stand there just inside the door. Or what’s better, perhaps, there’s the tombs, behind one of which you can hide as nice as pos- sible; ’cause why, I can walk as if quite promiscuous in there, while chatting with her ladyship. But mind, whatever she wants done I am going to ask a blessed high reward, and if she agrees, you’ve got to double it.” “The bargain is well understood,’ answered Mr. Gun- thorpe. ‘“ But now tell us how you propose to introduce us into the castle, for we don’t want to stand the chance of being shot at like burglars.”’ ~ “No fear of that, sir,’ replied Chiffn. ‘‘ It’s on the western side that overlooks the river. The wall comes flush down into the water — ”’ “Then how the deuce are we to get in?’’ demanded Mr. Gunthorpe. “ Why, you see, sir, the river’s quite shallow — not knee- deep — all along just under the wall, and it goes shelving down so gradual that there’s no chance of getting out of your depth. Then there’s a precious great tree that grows right GoOmicdoo “S$ (F©)