The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

16 | é SDedlooce of complete lasidiWy, a well as of a heart { They walked on together; and on coming full of gratitude towards the author of this renewed ty of the old sexton’s cottage, they percei kindness on her behalf. * Now,” sald Mr. Redcliffe, “a word with you, "end, he beckoned the men into the parlour witch bs was occupying ef the inp. ve courage to accompany ms,” inquired’ on a venture that will put oné Hundred pounds in your tr’ ' Phe edend nebo was & stout, powerfully built man, of \ forty yeara of age—opened his eyes Id with éstonishment; and then sald, “A hun. red pounds, sir? I have courage to do anything for guch eo reward.” *'Then come with me,” answered Redcliffe. “Piicure a atout cord—breathe not a syllable to your wife—and the money will be yours. I will explain myself fully as we proceed.” But the landlord stood hesitating: he did not exactly know whether to believe that it wae all right and straightforward or whether it were some arog i adventure into which his guest sought to him... | “A felon has escaped froma the hande of jus- tice,” said Mr. Redcliffe quickly » “the Govern- ment has offered fifty pounds for his apprehension —the authorities of Liverpool « like sum—and all this reward shall be yours! Now will you accom- pany me?” “Qheerfully, sir,” answered the landlord, his hesitation vanishing in a moment: “and I beg your pardon——” “Enough!” interrupted Mr. Redcliffe. “ Pro- cure the cord—conceal it about your person—and follow me without delay. I shall walk alowly through the village in the direction of the church- oe * But would it not be better, sir,” inquired the landlord, “to take pistols with us?” “J have them,” rejoined Mr. Redcliffe: and unlocking a mahogany case, he produced 4 pair of small double barrelled rifle pistols, which he at once secured abont his n. We then issued forth from the room ; and leaving the inn, proceeded slowly along the street. Ine few minutes he was joined by the landlord, who intimated that he had with hima cord which would effectually bind the miscreant’s limba when he should be captured. He } in his hand a stout staff or bludgeon: Wat Mr. Redcliffe said to him, ‘We must take the man alive: it is not for a anticipate the-blow which justice has to “ Aud if in self-defence?” said the landlord. “That is different,” replied Mr. Redcliffe. “And prey who may this man be, sir?” “You have heard of the dreadful murder at Liverpool several months back-—-you koow pro a Raa one of the assassins escaped:-—” het! the notofiows Barney the Burker P”’ the landlord. ° % doubtless na your sexton here f” \ “The very same,” returned Redcliffe: “and have seen him too. Know you the 3 Es dows. At thet very instant the form of a paseed in front of that window, obsouring for pment s and Redcliffe again said, “ qu ] e e The cottage stood in the midst of a little garden, separated By a low paling from the lave by which it was approached: the shed occupied. by the Burker was in a yard at the back. The lane it- self was bounded by a hedge, which ceased at the commencement of the paling ;—and there, within the shade of that hedge, Mr. Redcliffe and the landlord paueed bo reconnoitre the premises. Some one was knocking at the door with his knuckles: they had no doubt it wis ‘the ‘same person whom they had seen pass by the window—they suspected it might be the Burker—but they could not be sure, for there was a little porti¢o formed with trellis-work and covered with jasmine, in the deep shade of which stood the person who was thus tnoeking at the cottage door. The Burker however it was; and we will for the present follow him and his proceedings. His coat was buttoned around him; and beneath it he had a crowbar concealed. The fellow had thought to do his murderous work thus early in the night— for it was little more than half-past ten—in order that he might have many hourgin whioh to place’ a conidderable distance between himself and Wood- bridge ere the foul deed should be discovered. As for Crasy Jane—if he found her not wandering in the neighbourhood after the accomplishment or the crime which he meditated, he would abandon his projects in respect to herself altogether, rather than waste valuable time and run additional risk by searching after her. Barney the Burker knocked, as we havo said, at Jonathan Carnabie’s door. The old man was reading in his little parlour when the summons reached his ear; aud “takirig Up the light, he pro- ceeded as far as the door—which he did not how- ever 0 oe “Who is it?” he asked from within. “It’s me sir,” replied the Burker ; end his voice was heard by Mr. Redcliffe and the landlord— the latter of whom immediately recognising it (for he had on one occasion spoken to the man) inti- mated the same in a low hurried whisper to ‘Mr. Redcliffe. “Come, eaid this gentleman, also‘10 a whisper- ing tone, “ let us creep stealthily along the paling :” -—for he knew that if the fellow’s suspicions were excited, he would at once turn and fly. “And what do you want?” asked Jonathan Carnabie from within. “There’s a message just come down from the willage,” the Burker; “and the boy which brought it is a-vaiting here to speak to you “And how eame you up at this hour P” inquired Jonathan, still without opening the door: not that the old any reasom:. 60 suspect a sinister mative on of his assistant—but his long habit ‘of ‘self: hape the little cir of through one of the ground- the is man had the part ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)