The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 235: what you’re looking at

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

Sg ree ee geese st rey + ams, PE ON ee TCS AR le ie EE ONE eS ES ae oe er ewe eee eee Fees ne ES Oem A at ww = EP we ee ees eS oe = foe [Rh a2 wera _ = = ~ yyy “Well—and you would enter into it all—and you would pay for it?” asked the Hangman, with another quick glance towards Dick Melmoth. “If were not prepared to do so, I should not be here this moment,” said Theodore. “ As for my readiness to be the secret mover in any stratagem that may ensure my unfortunate friend's escape from an ignominiows death, I have sought you out for the purpose: and as for my means of remunerating you, behold f’—and with these words Theudore displayed a number of bauk-notes, which he tovk from a pocket-book, and for the possession of which he was indebted to the bounty of his kind benefactor Sir Douglas Huntingdon. “Come, all this is business-like enough,” said the Hangman. “But you say you don't wish to appear in the matter?” “No: my avocations—my station in life—my connexinns—everything? preven? me from taking any overt part in this proceeding. Indeed 1 would not have it mentioned until the very last to Emmerson himself that I am engaged im whatso- ever plan may be set on foot for his deliverance, I shall not even tell you my name—or who I an— nor aught concerning me: aud if any undue curi- osity be manifested wit. a view to discover who I am, A shall at once abandon the affair and have nothing more to do with it.” Wary, cunning, and astute as the reader knows the Hangman ta be, he was gradually thrown off his guard by this laupuage su specions, so plausibie. Indeed, it appeared natural enough that an influen- tial person, of good standing in society, should keep himself cnmpletely in the back-ground while setting afoot a project of the kind hinted at: and that Varian wes a young gentleman of the utmost reaspectabiiity, both the idangman and Dick Mel- moth readily believed frum jus personal appear- anee. Moreover, the sight of the bank-notes had produced a marvellous effect upon Mr, Coffiu’s creduity, touching his weakest potut and working on his most delicale susceptibility. He accordingly resoived, after exchauging another significant look with Dick Mehnoth, fo give the present business 4 shape and substantiality at od€c, by coufidiny to ‘Theodore everything that was aiready in contem platipn, “Well, sir, 1 sea that you are one of the right sort,” he accordingly began; “and so we can s00n eome tu ap understanding with cach other, Ino fhe first place, you want to know whether your un- fortunate friend Mr. Emmerson would avail him. sevf af the means of escape if they were placed in bis way? This 1s whit you want to know: and | ciu give you the information at once, without Making you watt a single hour—much less a whole duy-~ to acqure it, As for what the information is worth, L uust Jeave that to your generosity.” “Bitty Suineas by way uf a commencement,” said Theouore, inwardly rejoicing at the sucogss of the tac: he had displayed in thus drawing out the Hangmaa: for he saw that he was about to learo solInething of real importance. “ Thank’ee, sir,” sud Daniel Coffin, as he took up the bauk-notes wluch Theodore fluug acro-s the table. “Now then, } can tell you,” he pro- THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. man Dick Melmoth here have already had a little talk on the subject.” “Ah! this is indeed good news,” egclaimed Theodore, with # well-assumed look of the most genuine joy. “Poor Emmerson! he has been a dear and valued friend to me; and I would make many, many sacrifices to savé him fgm so dread- ful adeath. Tell me—-tell me, my good friends,” he continued, with every appearance of the most heart-felt feeling, * whether there be really a chance —a hope—-even the slightest prospect, of accom- plishing his rescue ?’” “Where there’s a will there's a way,” answered Coffin; “and although the walls of Newgate are ‘very thick and very high—the bars very massive— the watch very vigilant—and the chains on one’s legs uncommon awkward—yet all these obstacles may be got over when Dan’el Coffin chooses to set his wits to work.” “Ah! now you encourage the most sanguine hope within me!’e cred Theodore, seizing the Hangman’s hand and pressing it with. an appears ance of the most genuine fervour. “Tell me what your plans are—explain to me what is already done—ana whatever reward has been already pro- mised you, I will double it! Yes,” added Theo- dore, with strong emphasis, “I will double it—no matter how Marge the amount!” The Hangman threw upon Dick Melmoth a look of gloating satisfaction && this magnificent piv- inise 5 aud reverting hx eyes towards Varian, he said, Yuu are very liberal, sir—very generous in- deed: but take caro you don’t talk rather top fast when you speak about doubliog the reward.” “IT tell you that what I said was deliberately | uttered,” rejumed Theodore, “And was no vatuidle buast. Come—tell ine at ouce what is the amount of the reward promised you?” “A thousand guineas,” returned the Hang- mnan, intently watching Varian’s countenance, su as to ascertain the nature of the impression made by this announcement. “A thousand guineas!—it is a large sum,” said Theodore, slowly, and apparently in a musing mood: “but still 1 shall’nut fly from my word. How and when is this money to be paid ?— for I may as well fulfil my promise at the same times? “ Well, you are indeed an oat-and-out friend to Mr. Emmerson,” observed the Hansman, thinking it necessa:y $0 flatter his generous visitor with a compliment. “ To tell you the truth, then, Mrs. |} Emmerson is going to convince us to-night that the money is ready. She has got t—or wiil have it—at her lodgings: so I shall just toddle down to Fetrer Lane between nine and ten to-night to convince toyself that the cash is there; and if you like, sir, to make an appointment with me at about the same time, any where you choose, you might take the opportunity of proving that your muncy will be forthcoming also. Besides, as 1 mean to ask Mrs, Emmerson for a few hundreds on account, perhaps you wouldenut mind———" “ Certainly not! I understand you well,” ex- clamed Varian, with su much apparent frankness and cordial willingness of manuer that never in all cooled with a knowing look upon his hang-dog | his life had Daniel Coffin heen so completely ecuntenuunce, ' that jot Only is Mr. Emmerson thrown off his guard. “1 wil) call npon you here ready to avail himeelf of any means of escape | at gen o’cloek to-night, and bring you a fow | which may be presonicd to him, bat he and my PA Paden? Aiea ee =e 7o Oe: EE to PER Sia a Ee ene hundreds on account. But observe—not a angle ae, a ee = > eee eee =» = OS eee, a ea oe ae a Ey DEES aie: ~e =e ee or =] a SET a RET = cen @ Une, eee fees wee 1 CY) COMMU AOC) < = CO