The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ever they might be; for.in the implavability of his vengeance he resolved to hunt his mortal enemy to the scaffold, and only rest when he beheld him hanging lifeless there ! . While pondering upon the position of affairs, it struck Theodore that he would catl upon the barber who usually attended in the prison—ascertain if he had performed his functions upon Emmerson—and if so, whether he also believed him to be in a resigned and tranquil condition. But on proceeding to the barber's house in the Old Bailey, Theodore learnt that the object of his inquiry had been ill for some time, and that he had temporarily delegated his monopoly of beards within Newgate walls to one Richard Melmoth belonging to another barber's shop, in Fleet Lane. Thither did Varian accord- ingly repair: and on observing the name of CorFin over the door, he at once knew that this was the abode of the Public Executioner. It was in the afternoon when Theodore entered the Hangman’s shop; and taking off his hat, he bade the young man who was in attendance proceed to cut his hair. Thie was none other than Dick Melmoth himself, who, placing a chair for his cus- tomer, commenced the operation forthwith, “So they have found the City bill-broker guilty of the forgery,” said Varian, as if iu a casual manner. “Yes,” answered Dick Melmoth. $I saw him this morning.” “ Did you indeed!" ,mied Theodore, suddenly showing an interest in the topic of converaa- tion. “To be sure—and yesterday morning also,” re- plied Melmoth. “ The fact is, I attend ia there to shave the prieguers, the regular barber being i!!." “ And How does E®amerson bear himself?” asked Theodore. * Well, pretty comfortably, all things considering,” answered Melmoth. . “Do you mean to say that he has any hope of a reprieve f ” “ Lor’ bless you, sir—everybody has a hope till the last; and I don’t think Mr. Kuomerson is different from the rest.” There was now a brief pause, during which Theo- dore Varian reflected profoundly. “Ts he communicative at all with you?” he at length asked. “Why—what do you mean?” demanded Melmoth. “I ineap,” returned Theodore, logking up in a significant manner towards Melmoth’s countenatce, “ that if you would do something for me, I will pay you handsomely.” “Well, that’s English at all events,” said Mel- moth. “But what do you want me to do ?—and what do you mean by handsome payment?” “Cau we have a little conversation together without fear of interruption?” asked Theodore. “This shop is very public, and we may be over- heard.” “Well then,” said a growling savage kind of voice; “step in here, and we will talk the matter over.” Theodore started, even to the risk of having the scisaors thrust into his eyes, as that voice, coming from behind, struck his ear; and on loeking round, he beheld a most repulsive individual, standing on the thresheld of the door opening into the |ittle parlour behind the shop—for the Hangman had 8 6 Dick 2al been attentively listening all the while to the pre- ceding colloquy between Dick Melmoth and the customer, : Accordingly, a finishing stroke being given to the hair-clipping operation, Theodore passed into the back room, where the Hangman bade him sit down,—saying, “I see you have a little business in hand, and we will talk it over quietly. I supp:se you know wholam; and if not, I'll act as my own master of the ceremonies and introduce myself as Mr. Dan’el Coffin. This chap here is my assist- aut,” he added, pointing to Melmoth ; ”-and 20 we can talk befure him. Come, shut the door, Dick, and sit downalong with us.” | “You doubtless overheard what I was saying to your assistant,” observed Varian, conquering the mingled repugnance and terror which he for a moment felt on finding himself in the company of that dreadful mag, who, as he had learnt from Sir Douglas Hontingdon, was a principal actor in the memorable scenes at the hut near Shooter's Hill. “To be sure,” exclaimed the Hangman. * The moment [ heard you beginning to talk serious to Dick Melmoth here, | began to listen very atten- tive indeed. It’s my way, because I never let a chance escape.” “Weil, well, Mr. Coffin,” said Theodore; “we have come together, and need not discuss how it has been brought about. The fact is I am a very deur and intimate friend of Mr. Emmerson———” “Ah! then you came to my shop just now with an intention,” interrupted the Hangman, “and not in a promiscuous manner?” *No—not in an accidental manner,” rejoined Variau. “TI learnt from the regular prison barber that you-—-or rather your man here—had got the custom of the place; and so I came to see you. The fact is, as I have just now said, E am an inti- mate friend of Emmerson’s,; but I dare not opeuly display the deep interest I feel in him. You will excuse me for declining to enteriote particulars? Suffice it to say that whatever I do in this matter is entirely of a private nature, I must not be seen in it—{ must not be known in it. Emmerson him- self must not even be suffered to learn that any effort at all is being made in his behalf——at least not until its result be known: for it were useless to buoy him up with hope unless it is certain to be fulfilled.” “Well then, what do you propose?—and how can we help you in any way?” demanded the ‘Iapgman, who did not exactly see what Theodore was driving at, or appeared to he driving at. “Your assistant here, Mr. Coffin, has access to Mr. Emmerson,” continued Theodore. “ Could he not glean from the unhappy man whether, if the means of escape were put within his reach, he would avail himself of them ?” . “ Yes—this can be done fast enough,” said the Hangman, exchanging a rapid glance of signifi- cancy with Dick Melmoth—but not so rapid as to escape Theodore’s obaervation. “ Well then, sup- pose what you have suggested is done—what next?” _ “Having first, ascertained whether Emmerson would avail himself of the means of escape if placed within his power,” continued Theodore, “it wou'd follow as a matter of course to see whether such means could by any possibility be afforded.” enema mre ssn age as eS A RS Te ce NN a en a a a a aa a a ee eel GOnniGooo YN S CO