The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 359: what you’re looking at

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

= 2 = a : i ee = an" eene e =: 348 ene =e: me that I had witnesses to the contrany—or @eg*-- + TS elac, if I had been seen lurking about in these, parts—” “ Witnosses?” ejaculated her ladyship. you mean me to understand that you brought of your companions or friends with you?” , “Nothing of the sort,’ inte.rupted Obifin. “But I will tell your ladyship all about it-——” “Tho murder? Spcak of that first. Who bas been murdered? and what mean you by & double murder P” “I moan what I say—that there is two young women lying dead—or at least I left them thero— ‘‘ Do “on tho river’s bank, both killed with pistol-bullets. I heard the report; and a did two gentlemen that was there at the time.” - “And you would have me believe,” said her lady- ship, now fixing her eyes with a atill more peeyliar look than at first upon the Cannibals “ thas, = is not your work ?” o It's so like mine that your ledyship cast rf easy believe it isn’t: but it fea’t though for that.” “ And those womenP You say that you hare left two gentlemen upon the spot-——= “T have got a little tale to tell your ledyahip $ and then you will see,” continued Chiffin, “ that I ama right staunch, trusgworthy kind of » fellow. But first of all you must tell me what you Wanted me duwn hero for—and all about it.” “T do not require your services just at present, " answered Lady Saxondale. “ Cirpumstances have changed. But of course I shall reward you for your trouble; and it may be that in two or three weoks 1 shall neod your aid. I will however write to you again. Here, take this packet: it contains a recom- pense which I have no doubt will satisfy you. And now what have you fo tell mo P” “OF course,” replied Chiffin, taking..the little parcel, and weighing it for a moment im his hand so as to calculate the probable amount of gold ‘it might contain, “your ladyship will consider that. what I am going to tell you is worthy, of ® forthe reward ?” “Go ,.on, go on,” interrupted Lady ‘Saxondale impatiently. “You-havo already received sufficient proofs that I know how to behave libetelly.” “ Woll, you seo, ma’am,” resumed the Cennibal, “other night two gentlemen came. to te at So- lomon Patch’s house in Agar Town, atid eéey per- litely introduced themselves ast Mr. Guntheirpe end Mr. Deveril——” “Ah ejaculated Lady Saxondale, with a visible start ; and her fuce, already pale this nigh3, grew paler still. “ Bué proceed. w of you ?” borough when your ladyshiy posted that note to mé —that hé saw it posted--and that he knew it wae you that posted it—and what's more, too, he saw ‘he address.” “ But this is absolutely impossible !” cried Lady Saxondale, in mingled amazement and consternation. “ You are deceiving me—you have betrayed me !” |. “Oh, well—if that’s your opinion,” observed the Canniba) gruffly, “ I may as well be off.” “No, no: proceed with what you have to say. | Goon—I will not interrupt you again.” “ Well, ma ‘am—that's what the gentlemen suid,” ( hat did they require | “ They told me that Mr. Deveril wan at. Gaines [ THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. | continued Chiffin; “and they Yurthér stated. .hat for certain reasons of their own they were uncon. mon anxious to see the contents of the letter. So, as there was nothing particular in it, I = show it an} | to them.” “You showed it to them p” ejaculated Lady Baxondale angrily, and also in terror. “ Well, Ithought it best: they seemed so positive a that you had written it—and I couldn’t possibly | deny it.” & “But what is heaven’s name must they think now P* murmured Lady Saxsndale in accents of despain. “ Don’t you see, ma’am, I was acting g in your in- terest? I wanted to draw the gentlemen out, and ascertain what object thoy had in view. So I pre- tended to tumble int“ their schemes; and they said that whatever reward you offered me for doing what you required, would double it. Then they snid thaty they shduld eome down here into Linculushiroe, and I must manage to make them overlicar what was to tale place betwixt you and me. Now you know how ipwas they were iu these parts to-night. But a very few minutes after I had joined them, we heard the report of pistol-shots: we rushed along . the bank, and found tho two dead bodies. Then the gentlemen got frightened at my being with them ; they didn’t think me quite respectable enough, I | suppose—and so they bundled me off at once,” giving up their scheme of getting. into the castle. Af. first I thought of cutting away out of the ncigh- bourbood as hard as I could: but then I reflected that it was better to com and see your ladyship, and tell you whet is in the wind in respect to Mr. Deveril and Mr. Gunthorpe. So I made a circuit and got back again to the castle—and that’s all I have to tell you. Now, if your ladyship thinks this is worth anvthing——” ‘ 'Yos: you know I shall reward you,” inter- rupted Laty Saxondale, impatiently. -“ But did you really mean to arene these personages into the castle ?” “ Well, to speak the truth,” answered Ohiffn, “ I should have done so: Wat then I should have took uneviemon good care to tip you a wink, or drop you a word in a whisper, not to talk on asy serious business. The fact is, I wanted to see this matter }eut with them two gentlemen ; and that’s ali about m.” Lady Saxomsials sald not snother werd ; but draw- ing forth hér pines, which eontained notes and gold, ashe emptied it into the Cansibal’s hand. His eyes glittered with & horrible reptite light, as he thought ‘to himself thas what with the money he had re- eeived from Aly. Gusthorpe, and the two.separate ‘t abtained from Lady Saxondale, >» man", you have nothing more for me to do to-night &*” \to resumed, as he cénsigned the ‘money to his pockdt. c “Nothing. When E need your services again, I will write to you. You will do well to get out of ‘this neighbourhood as quick as possible.” - “I mean to do so. Thank you for the advice, mvam: I have no inclination to get took up on suse picion of doing-what I didn't do.” ‘But one word more,” said Lady Saxonddle. “It is probable that Mr. Gunthorpe and Mr. | Deveril may seek you out again. If so, can I rely e C: ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)