Complete Short Works of George Meredith by George Meredith
page 52 of 428 (12%)
page 52 of 428 (12%)
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'A hit!' said he, and smoothed his wrist.
Farina knelt by the body, and lifted the head on his breast. 'Berthold! Berthold!' he cried; 'no further harm shall hap to you, man! Speak!' 'You ken the scapegrace?' said Guy, sauntering up. ''Tis Berthold Schmidt, son of old Schmidt, the great goldsmith of Cologne.' 'St. Dunstan was not at his elbow this time!' 'A rival of mine,' whispered Farina. 'Oho!' and the Goshawk wound a low hiss at his tongue's tip. 'Well! as I should have spoken if his ears had been open: Justice struck the blow; and a gentle one. This comes of taking a flying shot, and not standing up fair. And that seems all that can be said. Where lives he?' Farina pointed to the house of the Lilies. 'Beshrew me! the dog has some right on his side. Whew! yonder he lives? He took us for some night-prowlers. Why not come up fairly, and ask my business? Smelling a flower is not worth a broken neck, nor defending your premises quite deserving a hole in the pate. Now, my lad, you see what comes of dealing with cut and run blows; and let this be a warning to you.' They took the body by head and feet, and laid him at the door of his |
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