The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 378: what you’re looking at

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

| THR MyerTsnres of ene Connr. Gossoon as well as the living ones, had disap- Remembering that there werd two compartments to the deceased's wallet, and that he had only ex- amined one, he now lifted ic up. In the second compartment he found, nothing but the means of striking a light. ‘By thie discovery he was how- ever gratified: for it. enabled him to make « minute investigation of the cave. He was ree solved to establish this cavern ag his abiding-place, with the hope that some kindly disposed Gossoon would sooner or later pass that wgy and guide him out of the jungle. He had seen enough to convinog him that it. was deed as a helting-place for wanderers and wayfirers pacsing through that frightful wilderness ; and he likewise fancied that it Was the securest spot he could find in respect to wild beasts and reptiles. In that jungle no place was altogether secures for it was evident that even there a snake had stolen in and bitten the old Gos- soon, probably while he was sleeping, Still in a district where every spot was perilous, -this cgr- tainly appeard to be the least so of any.. Af all vvents it was better to remain stationary shere than to go floundering about anrist the pathless wikis where every step was taken at the risk of his life. e ° Having mede himeelf a torch of a resinous branch—holding it if one hand, and with a tole- rably stout stiok in the other—-the Burker entered the cave. It was only at the innermost extremity beyond the loophole, that jt was quite dark: but now the torch illuminated it fully. He advanced cautiously, fearful lest at any moment a reptile should spring at him: be examined every crevice and corner ; and he was just on the point of turn- ing away with the conviction that the cavern was completely free from any insidious foe of the rep- tile species, when all of a sudden the light of his torch’ was reflected in two small gleaming objects at the extremity of the cavern, about a foot from the ground, and just in front of him. They were the eyes of a reptile; and the blood ran cold in his veing. In a fow moment§ the snake glided eout from the hole where it was previously lurking : with a frightful hiss it raised itself up, and ex- panded its hood preparatory to taking the fatal spring—for it wasa cobra. That strong shudder on the Burker’s part was inetantaneously followed by the complete recovery of all his presence of mind ; for ‘he was rendered desperate by the sense of danger; and just at the very moment that the reptile was about to dart at him, he struck ita blow with his stick. The aim was well taken: the serpent writhed in agony—but another blow de- apatched it. Having thrown the snake forth fronf the cave, the Burker proceeded to examine it in every part with the closest possible scrutiny: but he disco- vered not another hole. He thrust his stick into the one whenee the reptile had emerged: but there was no reason to imagine that there were any other snakes in the’ same ambysh. He how- ever stopped up the hole ; and his examination be- ing over, he bethought himeelf of a means of pro- tecting the entrance of the cave from the insidious visits of suéh fearful guests for the future. He remembered that the houses on the outskirts of In- derabad bad alt gravel laid down at their doors ;| four or five stones removed from their setting. pe to sleep, while in reality continuing to keep at all events now resolved tion ? ‘It moreover oo the reptile species ‘would . 6 over substances, thed uzighs wound them, He therefore ak up of strown ebout; and , himeelf for thé yemainder of tha day: care however to be upon hig ga i sidious approach that human © Strangler. - ! Before the dusk began to close had covered a large space of ground the cave with the liftie fragments of granite; thus for a distance of about six yards in and three in width was this defence-work Having reconstructed his barrier, he eat do the cavern to partake of his food ; and his meal being finished, he found slumber stealing upen his eyes. Even before he was completely as while only cradled in the dreamy repose which precedes total slumber—the image of the Strangler kept rising into his mind» eo that every now and then he wae startled into complete waketnlpersi and then with thecold perspiration upon his he listened with suspended breath. Somefimes he almost fancied that he heard some one moving about in the vicinage of the cavern, or thdt his barricade of stones was being disturbed. Once oF twice he imegined that he heard some one breath- ing quite near him inside the cave; and it was « long time before he could satisfy himeslf that all this was mere fancy, At length he fell into a pro- found slumber, He knew .not how long it lasted: but he was wakened up with the horribly oppressing convic- tion of some imminent peril. Again he listened with suspended breath; and gradually upon his ear came the soynd of a stone being removed from the mouth of the cafern. Still He* listened,—bis Blood ourdling In his veins. Yos—thad sound was continued! Slowly and slowly was one of the granite blocks of his barrier being removed from ite setting. By the glimmering light which pre- vailed guteide, he could discern the gradual dis- appébrance of the stone from the uppermost layer. e now knew that an enemy was at work :—and what foe could this be uvless the one of whove stealthy procsedinge he had already received such procfP How should he act? Many minutes elapsed before, in the horror of his feelings, he could make up his mind. At length he decided upon the course to be pursued. Taking it for granted it wae the Strangler, he resolved to allow him to continue his work, and then ascertain in what manner bis in- sidiously hostile*demonstration wee to be made. Perhaps he intended to form a sufficient aperture to introduce his person into the cavern, under the impression that the Burktr alept; and if this were the case, the Englishman knew that he should be enabled to seize his enemy at a disadvantage and grapple with hith successfully. He therefore pre- 5 ry : aR keen wateh; and one after another he beheld end as the fellow was nt wanting in ingenuity | He was ready af any instant to spring up end e e Pr ) SS (CO) ECOMRniclacae