Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

ROSE MORTIMER. ‘“‘ Now this little matter I came especially upon must be seen to without delay.” “Tt shall be seen to now.”’ ‘¢ And when can I count upon having the result of your researches ?” ‘‘T can’t say,” replied Scribb. ‘You may count upon them at the earliest. Have you any instructions to attach to them ?” “Only one word. Miss Grace Walgrave must not know of your inquiries.”’ ** Humph!” “She must be out if possible when you call, if call- ing be necessary.”’ ‘Very good.” “It may make your task more difficult, but you must count the difficulties extra. I shan’t grumble, you know.” ** You pay like a prince, Mr.—-—”’ «© Mermet.”’ ‘* Yes, of course, Mr. Mermet.” ** Lose no time.’’ *“T go at once.” ‘¢ Spare no expense.” *‘ None, believe.’’ ““The fastest of cabs. well, I can promise you.”’ There was significance in the Arab’s tone which eaused the eyes of Mr. Ignatius Scribb to glisten with greedy anticipation. Mermet left. He had perhaps arrived at home an honr—cer- tainly not more than hour—when Mr. Ignatius Scribb was announced. The lawyer had lost something of his sanctimonious appearance in the brief period which had elapsed. The white neckcloth was still there, but it sat suspiciously awry. The coat, that seedy frock, was slightly spattered with mud. The Arab hobbled to meet him as he entered the room. ‘¢ What success ?””? he demanded eagerly. ‘Victoria!’’? answered the lawyer, slightly elated. ‘* You have gained the information ?” ‘‘ Rureka!’’? cried the lawyer, actually cutting a terpsichorean caper. . “You have gained the information I required of you?’ “‘T have.” “T thought so, and have been drinking your health upon the strength of your success.” **Pre-cisely.” “Ah! Iggy, my boy, you would be a wonder of a man and a lovely lawyer if you could only cut the bottle.’’ “* Bosh!” “ But what news 2?” “Stuff!’’ said the lawyer, who had not caught the question. “I live to enjoy my life, sir, and I do enjoy life after my own fashion. What would be the use of making myself a fine lawyer if I made myself uncom - fortable. Those are my sentiments—” “‘ After a glass.” ‘And I glory in’em.” ‘Very well. Enough of this. learnt ?”’ “Much.” ‘‘ Ah! On what head 2?” ‘“‘That,’”’ answered the lawyer, pointing towards his interrogator, with a drunken laugh, ** Fool!” ‘*Oh, hullo!”’ **You’re an ass, Scribb.”’ ‘¢And you’re—a wizard.”’ “Now enough of this nonsense. What have you learnt ?”’ Your fee shall cover that What have you “Of Miss Walgrave ?”’ ‘© Of course.”’ *¢ She has left town.”’ ‘* When?” “ Just now.” ‘© Ah! Say you so? * Richmond,”’ “¢ The address—”’ ** Ts here.”’ ‘* Give it me.’’ The necromancer snatched tlie serap of paper from his hand. Where has she gone to ?” . ““T say, I say,” said Scribb, growing every instant worse, ‘f you aint over polite.” ** Silence !’’ said the Arab. ‘‘ You are drunk,” “T repudiate the scandalous aspersion of my cha- racter,’’? hiccoughed Scribb. “* Here, take this.” He held him a glass of water, with something effer- vescent. in it. But Mr. Ignatius Scribb did not care much to take liquids then. “No, thankee, Mr. Mermet. good perhaps.” “Tt will sober you.”’ “To-day perhaps—but I mightn’t wake early to- morrow.” He leered significantly at the Arab necromancer at these words. “What do you mean by that, Iggy?” said Mer- met. ‘ Do you think I would injure you?” ** Don’t know.”’ ‘That I would play traitor serves me So well.” © * Can’t say, I’m sure.” ‘‘Be assured, Iggy,’ said Mermet, too useful to me at the present. the future may do.’’ The drunken man looked up startled. He was more than half sobered by the necro- mancer’s words. They contained a promise of an unpleasant character to look forward to. ‘Go, now, Igey,’’ said Mermet. ‘I am busy, and as for my words, think no more of them. I loye you too well.” “ce Oh 139 “¢T do, in all sincerity.” * Tn-deed.’’ “Or, if you will not believe that—” “*Pon my soul I can’t.” ‘Then think how useful you are to mo. How should I prosecute my searches without your aid?” “Yes, how would you ?” “T should be lost.”’ *“ Quite.”’ ‘** There, there, good night.”’ “Good night.”’ . And, with a drunken nod, Mr, Ignatius Scribb took his leave, ‘My threat to that besotted idiot,’? mused the necromancer as soon as the lawyer was gone, ‘‘is, after It mightn’t do me with a friend who ** you are far T can’t say what all, half joke, whole earnest. If he grows troublesome | when in his cups, I muststop him in my own behalf. I’ll doctor his grog in my own style; but not at present. So far I was candid with him. He’ 5 sufe because he’s handy just now.” He re-arrayed himself for a journey. When he had completed his toilet he took a small crystal phial from his little cabinet and secreted it in the breast of his coat. “‘ There, stop there,”’ said he, addressing the bottle. “Your services may possibly be brought into requisi- tion before the night is over.’’ The Arab called a cab and drove to the railway station. (lNOO) <S