The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTENTES OF LONDON. tho present visit, despite the revolting ugliness of the visitor. ° “Who aro you 2?” sho asked: “and in what man- ner do you think you can aid me 2” “Ono question at a time, my dear madam,” re- turned the fellow, with cool familiarity. “ First, then, as to whoLam, My name is Rily—Mr. Rily amongst mere acquaintances—John Rily in a police-sheet—and Jack Rily amongst intimate But those who know mc best call me the Doctor, because, you sec, I was brought up to the That was against my tastes, and only in obedience to the wishes of my parents; and so, as soon as they hopped the twig—which was when I was about two-and-twenty—I gave up mending broken legs, and took to breaking into Instead of fecling pulses, [ fingered purses —and found the now profession moro profitable. Such a hand as this,” ho continued, with a horrible grin, as ho extended his broad and horny palm, “was rather intended to wield a crow-bar than a lancet, or grasp a pistol in preference to a scalpel, Now, my dear ma’am, I think you may begin to-sus- frionds. medical profession. ee ee ee ~ houses. pect who and what Iam.” “A burglar and a thief,” said Mrs, Mortimer, who mot ere we lee we ee Oe had by this time recovered all Ler wented calmness, , ©Well—you are the more likoly to aid mein my present embarrassment—I mean, in the recovery of my money: and, of course, you can dictate your own terms.” “Tam petfectly assured of that,” responded the completely up his check. guarantes for my good faith.” “But in what way do you propose to act?” de- satisfactory understanding with her hideous visitor. “YT will tell you,” answered Rily. known at this coffee-houso; and thorofore I came in just now to take some refreshmont and read the paper. I saw you enter,and thought that yours wasa countenance which denoted a soul alive to mischief, That was the impression you made upon me; for J toust tell you that Iam a bit of a phrenologist in my way. However, I had almost ceased to think of you, when I saw you como rushing out of the bar-parlour and belt up-stairs like a mad woman. Then I marked your countenance again—and I was seized with admiration towards you on account of the horriblo expression of your features. I said to myself that if ever I had boheld a she-fiend, I had seen ono then.” ‘Tam much obliged to you for the compliment,” . observed Mrs. Mortimer, drily. “ Lot mo toll my story in my own way, my dear madam,” exclaimed Jack Rily, with mock polite- ness. “ Well, I saw you bolt up-stairs, and tlio landlady after you; and I knew that there must be something queer in tho wind. So I waited quietly reading the paper until the landlady came down again; and then I went to the bar to pay my money. A question or two that I put elicited the information that you had been robbed by two fel- lows pretending to bo officers having a soarcle warrant; and tho landlady, in her garrulity, gavo mo a description of those individuals. One of them —the old man—I know nothing of: ho is a come picte stranger to me ;—but the other I do know,— Pee eS =. a me py rt eS ee E ctry + ~, Doctor, again grinning maliciously with his horrid hare-lip, which seemed as if it were about to split * But, at tho same time, I admit with all possible candour that f cannot act alone in this business: and therefore you have that manded Mrs. Mortimer, anxious to arrivo at 4 more “T am not 259 and what is more, I owe him a prudge—it matters not why or for what. I thereupon told the Jand- lady that I thought I could help you in tho matter $ and before she had time to mako any answer, I rushed up to your room to introduce myself to your notice.” “ Now I begin to understand you, Mr. Rily,” said the old woman. ‘' You are acquainted with one of the robbers—you probably know his haunts—and you have a spite to vent upon him. Is this it?” “Just so,” answered tho burglar. ‘“ You must also Icarn that tho reading which I had of your countonanco convinced me that I might with safety tell you who and what I am: because I never have any child’s plas in the business I am engaged in. If you want to get back your money, you must prt confidence in me and act as I tell you; and the only way to make you trust me, is to let you know my real character, You seo in me, then, a cracks- man ahd a prig: but Jam stanch to the back-bone aniongst pals.” * And on what terms do you propose to ait demanded Mrs, hlortimer, “TIow much have these fellows robbed you of ?” asked Rilvy. The old woman hesitated for a few moments: she knew not whether it were prudent to tell tho truth to her new friend, who so deliberately an- nounced himself as a gentleman exercising a pro- fession which could not possibly be characterised by any particular scruples or punctilios. “ Well—just as you like, ma’am,” said Jack, ris- ing from his seat. ‘ By declaring on to the swag,* I may get my reglarst from the two prigs, whom I can easily trace out; and therefore, if you aro afraid to trust me, I shall be off at once. In this case, mind, you will never scoa penny of the money you have lost.” “Stay, Mr. Rily—stay 1” oxclaimed Mrs. Morti- mer, who perfectly comprehended the man’s mean- ing, Which was to tho effect that ho might obtain some of the booty for himself without her co-opera- tion; whereas sho could not recover a shilling unless assisted by him. Tho burglar coolly reseated himself. * You asked mo of how much I was robbed 2” sho said, intcrrogatively. “ Yes,” was the laconic rosponse. “Vive thousand four hundred pounds,” observed Mrs. Mortimer. “My stars! is it possible?” exclaimed Rily, his horrible countenance expanding with delight. “It is the truth, I can assure you,’ rejoined the old woman. “Vive thousand four hundred pounds,” repeated the burglar, ino slow and measured tone, as if to prolong tho enjoyment of the sweet music which tho inention of such a sum made for lis auricular sense. “Tt is a sorious loss—is it not?” asked Mrs, Mor- timer, anxiously watching his countenance, its expression denoting hope—nay, cven indicating a cortainty of success in tho endeavour to recover the amount: but that same tablet of the mind gavo no 1c 2?” * Letting tho thieves know that ho was awaroof tho fact of the robbery, anddomanding a portion for himself, This Is a common practice amongst thioves; and the claim of tho porson thus “declaring on” ia jsoldom disputed, oven though lo had nothing to do With tho robbory. 7 share of tho plunder. ee as aes ee ~ + eae = me et er : ee \ | ‘ (C(O) (C DOO SS (SO)