Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

176 ROSE MORTIMER. ** What’s to be done, then ?” “*T don’t know.” ‘‘There’s only one way.’’ ‘¢ What is that ?” ‘Take the whole concern off.”’ What-?’ *¢ Box an’ all.” EE Impossible. iy ** Why is it more impossible than taking the dead un alone ? Not more likely to excite attention.’ « True.”” ‘‘And then the box may be wuth something you know, Joe.’’ ** Not much.”’ ‘* There is silver plates on it.’’ “Come on, then. Shovel back the earth again.” **T don’t think as it matters much.” ‘¢ Why not ?” ***Cause the box being away, it’ll leave a horful ole.” ‘‘ Never mind that. Fop it in lightly.”’ ‘* All right.’’ And in double quick time the earth was shovelled back into the grave. ‘“Now you be off, Snatchem,’’ said Resurrection Joe, “‘ and bring the cart. I’ll wait and keep a sharp look out.”’ . ‘ All right.’’ ‘¢ Look lively.’ Snatchem ran off, and in the space of afew minutes the rattle of a cart was heard along the deserted street. The cart pulled up and out jumped Snatchem, ‘* Here he comes,”’ said Joe. *f Joe!” he whispered through the railings. “Hullo!” “Hush !” ** What’s up 2?” ‘*Some one foxing.”’ “Where 2” “Come on. I’ve dodged him. Look alive, and we’re all right.” Snatchem pushed open the gate, which creaked in a most alarming manner. Then he ran lightly across the churchyard up to the coffin. “* Now then.”’ They raised it at each end and bore it swiftly to the cart, It was a tough struggle, but time pressed, and they surmounted the difficulty with a dash. ‘* Now then,” said Joe, ‘‘whip up the hannimal. Off she goes.” In Jess than twenty minutes after the desecration of the city churchyard as related Resurrection Joe and Snatchem had driven their cart up to Mermet’s residence, They had provided hemselves with large cloths, and they had so wrapt the coffin in them as to effectually conceal its form, Snatchem whistled in a peculiar manner, according to arrangement. Then after a while a window was raised, Mermet looked out. He made them a sign of intelligence and dis- appeared. In less time than one -would have believed it possible for the necromancer to have descended the stairs he was at the street door, which he opened himself. “Success ?”? he whispered anxiously. ‘Yes,’ replied the bodysnatchers simultaneously. “ Good.” “We've got box an’ all, guv’nor.” ce Eh Ede It won’t be so much noticed. and ‘* Coffin as well.’’ “‘No matter; be quick.’’ ‘* All right.” They quickly unloaded their cart of its deathly burden, and carried it into the house. “This way,’”’ said Mermet. ‘ Follow me quickly.” ** All right, guv’nor.”’ He led the way upstairs to the first floor, where he opened a door with a key which he took from his pocket, This disclosed a spacious room, dimly lit by an oil lamp. All around the chamber were stills, retorts, crucibles, and other analytical and chemical con- trivances which are so mysterious to the uninitiated. At the further extremity of the apartment was a four-post bedstead with dark sombre hangings. In the centre of the room was a long table, upon which lay several pillows, evidently prepared by the necromancer for a special purpose. ** Place it here,”’ said Mermet. They obeyed. ** Hullo! Why, the lid is firm !’’ “‘Yes; but that is easily opened.” “Do it, then.” *‘ Can you give me a screwdriver ?” ‘Yes. But first, one of you must take away your cart. Its presence at my door would possibly: excite attention.”’ ** All right,” said Snatchem. , And he volunteered to take the cart home without delay. A screwdriver was brought and the coffin opened. The white cloth was removed {from the face, and disclosed the fair countenance of the hapless girl, Lotty Chepstow ! So calm, so tranquilly happy and serene its ex- pression. “* Scarcely looks like a dead ’ un, guv ’nor,”’ observed Resurrection Joe. “Eh? No.’’ The Arab started from a reverie into which he had fallen. “You may go now,’’ he said hurriedly. and be prudent.”’ * All right, guv’nor.” “* Here’s for your pains. ** And Snatchem’s ?” *“T’ll pay him myself.”’ “Oh, all right, guv’nor.”’ «Let him call to-morrow early.” ‘* All right, doctor.”’ : “ And as you wish for further employment—” “‘ Which I do, at the price.” ‘‘Be prudent,”’ **T shall, for my own sake.”’ *€ You’re wise.’’ The bodysnatcher departed, and Mermet returned to the chamber of death. For what ? We shall see. “ Away ! Away!” CHAPTER LXX. EXCITING NEWS—THE JOURNEY—THE HOTEL— A MOB — SMITHSON—LYNCH LAW — OFF THE SCENT—THE RAILWAY—A DARING FEAT—THE WAITING-ROOM — THE FOREIGNER AND THE LAWYER’S CLERK —DISGUISE—ALL LOST— REPROACHES AND RECRIMINATIONS — FRESH PLANS AND RESOLVES—TEN DAYS’ SAFETY— MUTUAL ARRANGEMENT—THIRD CONSENTING PARTY—STARTLING DENOUEMENT! LADY BELLISLE almost made up her mind for the worst which could now befall her. lDOO S