The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 309: what you’re looking at

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dently steuck him as something ominous. “I don’t like these s who just want to speak to you l— Waiter, what sort of a looking man is he ?”’ “Well, sir,” replied the functionary, thus ap- pealed to; “he looks something’ like'.a sporting character—cut-away coat with brass buttons, sir— red w sir--——"” “Oh, you had better see him!” exclaimed Stanley. “I dare aay it is come fellow connected with the Turf, and who has heard that you are making up a book.’* “ Ah, very likely!” ejaculated Alexis, clutching at the hope. “Let him come in, waiter.” “Come in? Yos, sir,” said the waiters and he shuffled away with tbat peculiar coffee-room walk which it would seem every accomplished waiter must necessarily possess: but the man hed upon his countenance a certain sly expression which failed not to attract the notice of Captain Stanley and Christian. “The truth is,” said Alexis Oliver, when the waiter had retired, “I have got four or five c little things hanging over my head. Mra. Qxenden has given me the money two or three times to*ay them: but it has always burnt a hole in my pocket, as the boys say at echool. So it rather frightens one when a suspicious message is deli- Jered.” , The door of the coffee.ro6m was now thrown pen; and the visitor walked in. The door swung back on its hinges; but the waiter just placed it ajar, that he might listen outside to the proceed- ings, the nature of which he more than half sus- pected—and perhaps chiefly so from the fact that when the person in the cat-away coat had entered the hotel, another individual in a more seedy garb remained lurking against a lamp-post opposite. The individual in the cut-away coat advanced with a polite bow towards the table at which the three young gentlemen were seated; and ‘Alexis Oliver's looks showed that he was by no means reassured by the appearance of his visitor. “ You, git, are Mr. Oliver” said this person, at once singling out the gentleman whose name he had mentioned; “and my name is Solomons. You know my errand—sorry to distur6 a gentleman at his wine—but Coleman the lawyer wgs peremptory in his instructions—and Mabley his client won't iG wait avother hour. So you see, air,¢ it’s no feult of mine: but I tried to do the business in as deli- Gate a way as possible.” “What does all this mean P” exclaiméd Chris- tian, starting up from his seat with a well assumed air of indignation. “ Nothing’ that concerns you, sir,” observed Mr. Solomons, with an air of exceeding politeness, “It's just a trifle of a hundred and ninety odd pound that regards Mr. Oliver.” “ By Jove this is unfortunate!” cried Alexis. “I wish I hadn’t been fool enough to go to Tat- tersall’s to-day and buy the chesnut at Sir William Katchfiatt’s recommendation. Mrs. Oxenden too isn’t at home——” , “'What is it you require P” exclaimed Obristian. 1 pate the of hundred pounds to settle this debt ? L ‘$e benk-notes about me——” 4 ‘ gentlemen,” interrupted the bhai? : jbus ° liver must come howe while we search the Office to apything else cat ageinst him.” oe ae THE MYbTERIES OF THE COURT, “And if so, I dare say we can settle it!” ex. “Ah !. that’s what I call true friendship!” oried Alexis. “Bravo, my boy, I shan’t forget this in a hurry! T suppose I must go to the lock-up-———" * Let us settle the bill here,” ejaculated Stanley; “and we will all go togetber ine cab. There’s no- thing like sesing one's friend through his diff. culties. Just step outside, Mr. Solomons: we will join you in a few minutes. J, suppose you can trust us; and you'll have a couple of for your civility.” tos Obristian made a sign for the officer to comply ; and‘ Mr. Solomons, who had especial instructions from Mr. Ooleman, hésitated not to do whatsoever our hero directed. He therefore withdrew: the waiter was summoned—the bill was psid—and the three gentlemen issued from the hotel. A cab was speedily procured: they took their seate in- side : Mr. Solomons rode upon the box: and his man was left to tramp back to Chancery Lane on fodt. During the drive thither, Alexis Oliver owed eternal friendship to Christian, who played is part 0 well, that it seemed as if he was only doing the most natural thing in the world in un- dertaking to pay the debts of his new acquaint- ance. But all the time Mrs, Oxenden’s paramour was thus expressing his gratitude, he thought within bimeelf that of the green and inexperienced young gentleman he had ever encountered, his new friend Craven was assuredly the greenest and the most inexperienced. The sponging-house was reached: the three gentlemen were shown to a room—more wine was ordered—and a considerable fee was exacted for the process of searching the Sheriff’s Office at that time of night, for it was now past ten o'clock. Nearly an hour elapsed, —Alexis volunteering three or four songs, and appearing most supremely to enjoy the situation in which he was placed—as well‘indeed he might, considering that his debts were to be paid from the purse of another. At the expiration of the hour, Mr. Solomons reappeared, with the intimation that there were other judgment-wtits out against Mr. Oliver, and that the entire sum requisite for his emancipation amounted to four hundred and thirty pounds. Obristian’s pooket-book was produced; and bank- notes for that sum were counted down by him on the table with as much apparent indifferenco as if they were so mavy pieces of waste paper. Mr, Bolomons received his fees in addition to the amount specified: another cab was summoned; and the three gentlemen took their departure, and joking in the gayest possible humbdiir. “Now we will go and have supper somewhere and méke a night of if{” exclaimed Alexis, as the cab drove westward until more specific orders should be isened to the driver himeelf. “Come to my lodgings,” said Stanley; “and I can promise you something choice and good for supper.” e ne With ajl my. heart!” exclaimed Obristian, be- fore Alexis could interpose; for this. young gentle- man would have infinitely: preferred Evans's or the Cider Cellars. 0) The order’ was given to the. cabman;s and to ee eee Re enemas agar tain 6 oge'in Albemario Street did Sa vohiale' proceeds” table was sdon spread COniicooolks.com