The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 395: what you’re looking at

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

A 390 observed the Doctor, totally unmoved by the horrid nature of tho conversation. “To be sure? and we shall sooner or later seo who beats at it.” Another pause succecded this last remark of Vitriol Bob; and again did the two men sit con- templating each his enemy with a composure that Was unnatural and dreadful to a degrec under the circumstances. Timo wore on in this manner: their glasses wero frequently replenished—and yet the liquor appeared not to produce the least effect upon them; but, cool, collected, and self-possessed, they sate moa- suring cach other’s form and calculating its strength, until darkness insensibly stolo upon them. The waiter then entered to light the gas; and several frequenters of tlie houso began to drop in to take their evening’s allowance of alcoholic drink and stupifying tobacco. Atlength Jack Rily rose, and, looking hard at his enemy, said, Lam going now.” “ Wery woll,” returned Vitrio) Bob: PI) keep you company,” There was nothing in these observations to excite ejther the curiosity or the suspicions of the other persons in the public-house-parlour: nevertheless, those words had a terrible significancy for tho two men who had exchanged them. The Doctor walked leisurely out of tho room first; and Vitriol Bob followed him. But the instant they wore outside the premises, the formor turnod ebruptly round upon his enomy, saying, “ Come, let us proceed abreast: I don’t mean to give you a chance of stabbing mo from behind.” “ Just as you like,” observed Vitriol Bob; and ho placed himself at the Doctor’s right hand, leaving on interval of about a couple of feot between them, In this manner they walked on in silenco,—each occupied with his own peculiar reflections. Vitrio) Bob was intent only on vengeance,—dread, full, complete, and diabolical vengeance; and, though he scemed to bo looking straight forward, he was noyvertheless watching his companion with tho sidelong plances of his reptile-liko oyes. Jack Rily was calculating in his mind what course heshouldadopt. We was naturally as bravo as a lion: but he did not perceive any advantage in risking his life in a struggle that, even wero lie vic- torious, would produce neithor profit nor glory. The only possible good that could result to him from a triumphant issuo of the quarrel, would bo the removal of a bitter, inveterate, and determined enomy. Novertheless, the Doctor had mot potent reasons to induce him to avoid this deadly ercoun- ter. Ho had just obtained a vast sum of money, and had the means of realising five times as much: the world, therefore, had suddenly assumed a smil- ing aspectin his eyes, Ile had already resolved to abandon his nefarious pursuits, which indecd were no longer necessary—and settic down quictly in the cottagofor the purchase of which ho had that day concluded a bargain ;—and all these prospects wero to be staked on the hazard of a die—risked fear- Sully at the bidding of the miscreant who was wall:- ing by his sido! At ono moment the Doctor seriously thought of giving his companion inte charge to the first corps of policemen whom they might encounter; for this was the hour when the little detachments of con- stables went about relieving their comrades on duty, But that idea was abandoned almost as goon THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON, as formed: inasmuch as Jack Rily had all his |“ money about him, and he knew that if he handed Vitriol’Bob over to the police as the murderer ‘of Torrens or of Mrs, Mortimer, the miscreant would unhesitatingly turn round with some chargo that would at least place him (the Doctor) in tempo- rary restraint, and lead to an cxemination of his person. Jack Rily thorefore came to the detormination of pushing on into the heart of London, well knowing that Vitriol Bob’s object was not to assail him in any neighbourhood where the contest was likely to be observed and prevented, but to drive him by dint of persecution, dogging, and a hateful companion- ship, into the open country, whero through very desperation the Doctor should make up his mind to settle tho matter decisively by a struggle on equal terms. Feeling convinced that this was his enemy’s purpose, Jack Rily resolved cither to weary him out or give him tho slip if possible~—or clse to soize an opportunity of stabbing him suddenly in some place where an immediate cscipe was pric- ticable. We must again observe it was through no cownrd- ico that the Doctor was desirous of avoiding a cone flict from which only one could possibly depart alive: but he had so many inducuments to cling to existuuce, that he saw no advantage in risking them all in a quarrel whero the personal animosity was entirely on tho other side. In the courso of halfan hour they arrived in the vicinity of the Angel at Islington; and Jack Rily, now breaking the silouce which had lasted since they quitted the public-houso at Pentonville, said, “his walking makes one thirsty: lot’s have sonie beer.” “Willingly,” answered Vitriol Bob: “and we'll drink out of the same pot to make pvople believe we'ro friends.” Thuy accordingly entered a gin-shop and shared a pot of porter at the bar; after which they resumed their walk, passing down tho City Road. They kept sbreast, and preserved a deep silence,—each watching tho movements of the other—the Doctor iu the hope of being ablo to give his companion nu sudden thrust with his knife—and Vitriol Bob for the purpose of preventing tho escape of his enemy. It was ten o’clock when thoy came within sight of the Bank of England; and as thoy passed under its solid wall, Jack Rily wondered whether ho should be alive to keep an appointment which ho had with Green for cloven next morning in order to havo some more of his notes changed by that individual. “All tho money in that thoro place, old foller, won’t save one or vother of'us from death before many hours ts gono by,” observed Vitriol Bob, in a low and ferocious tone, “You must make the best use of your time, then,” returned Jack; “since you've got a presenti- ment that it’s so near.” «“No—it’s you that had botter say your prayers,” retorted the miscreant. “But what’s the use of keeping both your hands in your pockets? If you think you'll be able to draw out your knife sud- denly and give mo a poke under the ribs, you’re uncommonly mistaken.” YT wasn’t dreaming of such a thing,” answered Jack Rily, for the first time showing a slight degreo of confusion in bis menner. ““Tt’s false, old fellor,” said Vitriol Bob: ‘yow’ro v7 econmlelooolks (CO)