The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 373: what you’re looking at

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

306 NIE MYSTERINS OF LONDON, Fite ete H everything without delay, if it’s to be done to- | tutored her—to survey with a diabolical tranquillity night.” “Yt is for to-night,” said the old woman, emphati- cally, “ My daughter and her husband have taken house in Pimlico a “Viow many servants?” demanded Jack Rilv. “T cannot exactly answer the question: but J know that there isa French lady’s maid; and I saw an English valet, who had been recommended by the house-agent ue “Never mind who recommended him,” inter- rupted tho Doctor, impatiently; “ho is there—and that’s enough for us. <All I care about knowing is how many people wo may havo to deal with.” “Bat tho venture must bo made at any risk,” observed Mrs. Mortimer. “It is of tho highest consequence to us to gain possession of the genuine cheque——” “And put tho holder of it out of tho way,” added Jack Rily. “Oh! I understand your drift plainly enough: but £ wish to see my course clear— becauso I’d better do the best I can with the notes under existing circumstances, rather than get © bullot through my brain or find mysolf laid by the wheels in Newgate some time boween this and to-morrow morning.” “ Certainly—certainly,” remarked Mrs, Mortimer. *'Wellk—upon what do you decide ?” “To risk the business,” answered Jack, starting from his seat. “And now I’ll just go and take a “quiet walk down into Pimlico, fer the purposo of surveying the premises. Whercabouts is it ?” “Westbourne Place, No, ——-,” replied Mrs. Mor- timer, “Well—yon can mect me again down in that neighbourhood at about midnight,” said the Doctor, “ Where shall the place of appointment be 2?” “In Sloane Square, if you like,” observed the old woman, ‘““Good—precisely at midnight. And now be off —because l am going to hide the Bank-notes co that nobody may be able to find them during my absence,” said the Doctor, with a meaning look. “Of course I need hardly tell yeu that if you are scheming or manaurring to get mo into a plant down at Pimlico, you'll never go away alive to make a boast of it.” “The idea that I should act in such a way, is ridi- culous,” returned Mrs. Mortimer. “Well—there is no harm in giving you tlie caution, old tiger-cat,” remarked the Doctor, carelessly. “So tramp off—and be punctual to our appointment.” “J shall not fail,” said tho horrible woman, who thorcupon took her departure. How she passed the remainder of that day, we know not. Suffice it to say that the leisure-time which sho had for reflection did not induce her to change her mind nor swerve from her purpose: on the contrary, as sho entered Sloane Square a fow minutes before midnight, it was with o determina~ tion to take her share in the awful tragedy which she contomplated—namely, the murder of her own daughter and the Count of Carignano. Dad and depraved as she was, never in her life until this oc- casion had sho thought so calmly and coolly of shedding bloods: for if on the previous day she had harboured tho design of assassinating Jack Rily, in order to regain possession of the Bank-notes, it was not without a cold shudder, even though there was something like aggravation to inspire the idea, But ww shoe had brought herself—or circumstances had , the hideous, appalling crime which she had in view and as sho walked along, she clutched with savage triumph a clasp-knife that she had purchased during tho evening. Precisely as the clock struck twelve Jack Rily joined her, “Well, you have not altered your mind?” he said. “Itis rather for me to ask you that question,” was her response. “ Oh, Jam resolute enough!” lhe observed; and through the semi-obscurity of the night she could 500 his large whito teeth flashing hideously between the opening in his lip. ‘‘I have taken a good sur- voy of the premises,” he continued, ‘and know ex- actly how to proceed. ILave you got any weapor, old tiger-cat ¢” “ This,”’ sho replicd, placing the clasp-Inife in his hand. | dic opened the blade—felt it—closed it again— and, returning the knife to his companion, said, , “That will do. But thero is one thing that troubles | me oa little,” he added, after a few moments’ hosita- tion; and 1’ll be hanged if I can got it off my mind. | Yet—perdition scize it !—I am no coward cither.” | “What have you to fear, then?” demanded tho old woman, hastily. “Why, to tell you the truth——but come along farther away from the lamps to tell you the truth, as T was jogging quietly down Sloane Street | just now,” continued Rily, glancing furtively around, “some one, coming hastily up from a narrow street on tho right-hand side, passed justin front of me. We almost ran against cach other, and I caught a glimpse of tho fellow’s countonance——” “Who was he?” asked Mrs. Mortimer, shudder- ing in anticipation of the reply. ‘ Vitriol Bob,” was the answer, “Tthought you wore going tosay so,” exclaimed the old woman. “Bunt perhaps he did not notice you—and even if he did, I suppose you aro not afraid that he will attempt any mischief?” “Whether he noticed mo or not, F can’t say,” replied the Doctor; ‘because the encountor was so abrupt—so sudden—that ho was off again in an instant. Bat if he did, I am well swaro that ho is capable of anything. JIowever, I don’t mean to let that prey upon my mind, I can tell you.” “And yet it docs seom to have deprosscd you a little,” said Mrs. Mortimor. “Well—I’d rather it shouldn’t have happencd— that’s all!” ejaculated tho ruffian, forcing himsolf to assumo a gaicty which he did not altogether feel; for, though no coward, yet the incident of his meeting with his sworn foo in the manner de- scribed, had troubled him. Doubtless the man’s mind, contomplating a dia- bolical crime, was more disposed to superstitious terrors, and to acknowledge tho influence of j're- sentiments, than on ordinary occasions: hence the vaguo uneasiness and undefined apprehensions that had seized upon him, Mrs. Mortimer caught the dispiriting effects or the encounter which her confederate had oxpe- rienced with one of the most desperato ruffians in London; and such a chill fell upon her mind, that sho wus about to proposo the abandonment of the scheme, whon Jack Rily suddenly oxclaimed, “Wel thought of! I’ve something in my pocket thaf vill do us good!” I a, ee te eee ——! EConnicloooks (CO)