The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 30: what you’re looking at

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A THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. listeners, whose curiosity he had now worked up to the highest pitch. “What—what has he done?” gasped Old Death, terribly excited with suspense. ‘Do you mean to say that is—has he escaped 2?” he demanded, scarcely able to give utterance to the word; so fearful cas he lest Tom Rain, against whom he cherished a fiend-like hatred, should not again figure upon the scaffold. “Patience— patience,” said Mr. Dykes, taking a chair. “In the fust place, you must know, that in comes a lady—and who should she be but that very same Lady Hattield as I’m sure Tom Rain robbed some months ago near Hounslow, although I couldn't bring the thing home to him at the time——” “Well—well,” muttered Old Death, the agony of whose suspense was perfectly excruciating. ~ “Bat fust I should tell you,” resumed Mr. Dykes, ‘that Miss de Medina comes in with her father and Lord Eliingham——” . Old Death gave vent to a savage growl. “And now J understand all about that diamond affair, Bingham, you know,” continued the officer; “for, although one of the sisters is a corpse and her face is disfigured, I never in my life sce such a like- ness as there is between them.” We should observe that Old Death had already learnt, from the communications which had been made in his presence by the runners who were first in charge of Tom Rain on this eventful evening, that it was not Esther de Medina whom he had slain, but Tamar—the wife of the man whom he considered to be his most mortal enemy. “But as I was a-saying,” continued Dykes, “ in comes Lady Hatfield; and, behold ye! she makes a regular sct speech to prepare us all for what ‘s about to take place; and then she tells us plump that Tom Rain has received his Majesty’s free pardon!” “No—no!” yelled forth Old Death: it’s a he— it’salie!” f “Hold your tongue, you cursed fence!” exclaimed Mr. Dykes, deeply indignant at having his word thus unceremoniously called in question. ‘“ Lady Hatfield had the paper with her, all reglar according to the stattit in that case made and purwided.” “Tt’s a forgery—a rank forgery!” shrieked Ben- jamin Bones, his countenance becoming truly appalling with its hideous workings. ‘And your have Ict him go, upon that pretence——you——you have-——” And he fell back in his chair, gasping for breath. “Wot an inweterate old scoundrel it 1s,” observe Bingham. “Tlere—give him a glass of beer, Bill; or, by goles, he'll suffocate—and the scaffeld will be cheated of its dues after all.” The runner, to whom the command was addressed, approached Old Death and offered him a tumbler of porter: but the savage monster repulsed it brutally, ferocious growls escaping from his breast. “Well—leave him alone, then,” said Bingham. The runner accordingly resumed his seat and his attack upon the cold viands at the same time. “T tell you what it is, Mr. Ben Bones,” exclaimed Dykes: “I have seen a many free pardons—’specially where genelmen that got into trouble was concerned, for it’s seldom that a poor devil has interest enough to get such a thing—and I know precious well that the one 1 see just now, was as reglar as possible. It had the King’s own namo—his sign-mangle, they call it— and his precious big seal—and the Home Secretary’s rRocatur underneath.” 28 Ho will escape—he will escape yet!” yclicd forth Old Death, clasping his hands together, as if in morial agony. “The wretch—he will escape the gibbet— he—he And again he gasped in so frightful a manner that his eves seemed to be starting from his head, and his attenuated frame literally writhed in convulsive spasms, “Alt” he exclaimed, after a long pause, during which his shocking appearance had produced a dead silence of horror and amazement: “I have thought of something ”—and he grinned malignantly. “Did you not say that men had been spirited away—in that Torrens’ affair-——” “To be sure I did,” answered Bingham, to whom the question was addressed: “and Tom Rain did it. Well, whai about that, Mr. Dykes?” “Why—that scems tobe knocked on the head also,” was the reply: “though I have no doubt we shall get the reward, because we did our dooty in arresting him ; and if so be that the Home Secretary chooses to grant him a pardon in that respect also——” “ Ye won’t—he won’t!” ejaculated Old Death, with feverish—nay, with hysterical excitement. ‘IIe does not dare do it! No—no—Tom Rain must swing for that, at all events! "Tis as good as being accessory te the murder—'t is shiclding the murderers! Ha! ah! lie will swing for that—he will swing for that!” *T’m blessed if he will, thorgh,” said Dvkes, bluntly ; “for it seems that he’s got a paper signed by the King Which will put him all to rights;—and though I don’t exactly understand that part of the business, 1’m pretty sure Tom Rain isin no danger. Lord ENingham has got the matter in hand; and he has gone up to the HTome Office. That’s why I left Mr. Rainford at liberty ~—just taking his word of honour that he would n't bolt.” “ TTe"l deceive you—he Il run away—he ’l] escape!” cried Old Death. “ You are mad to trust him! Go— seize cn him again—put hand-cuffs i “Yes—on you, in no time—if you don’t hold your tongue,” interrupted Mr. Dykes. “But ain’t all this a rummy business, though?” he demanded, turning towards Bingham and the subordinate officials. “The old Jew seems a most respectable genelman—I ’d take his bail for any amount, if I was a magistrate. And really his daughter is a sweet young o’oman: the Larl's going to marry her, Vl swear to it.” “Mr. Dykes—Mr. Dykes,” whispered Old Death in his ear; and the officer, turning suddenly round again, perceived that the tall, yaunt forin of the fence was close behind him. “Well—what do you want?” demanded the func- tionary. “One word—one word only,” murmured LGones, in alow, guttural, sepulchral tone, while his frame shook with nervous excitement: ‘“ one word, I say—only one word.” a “Now, then—what is it?” asked Dykes, suffering the old man to draw him towards the recess containing the door which opened into the laboratory. «JT must speak to you in private— I have somethmg particular to tell you,” was the urgent and impatient reply. “Come into this room—I shan't keep youa moment.” *Well—I suppose I must humour you,” said the officer, in a surly tone. “One should look upon you asadead man; for besides your nick-name, the law will soon make you one in right good earnest.” With this brutal jest—brutai even in respect to so e (C(O) (C DOO SS (SO)