The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

| | [ | | | | | ip Oils Peete es we ee ee SP We eee oop THR MYSTERIES OF TNE Corer, S@eawrcrs w— ‘Nor am I, Robert," returned the Baronet; “end I will explain to you wharefore. The crime —by whomscever perpetrated—took place, as you recollect, about three months back; and it was only a few days after the occurrence, that as I was walking in Liverpool I encountered Mr. Redcliffe, XY instantaneously reengnised the brave man to whom I owed wy life: and we got into conversa. tion. Ife then explained to me what had brought hima to Liverpool. He had read in thé newspapers the account of the murder, and the remarkable story which the accused Lettice Rodney told in her defenve beforo tho boruugh-magistrates. He had koown something of her previously ; and though he was acquainted with nothing to her credit--but the very reverse—he nevertheless did not think, from lia knowledge of human nature, that she WAS a young women of 80 thoroughly black a heart as to prompt her to the commission of such a frightful deed. Bosides—without entering into do- tatied explanations—he informed me that he had very recently encountered her under circumstances when slo was su completely overawed by the idea sat being unon a spot whieh was the scone of a fearful murJer perpetrated some years back, that he felt persuaded she bad sot the courage, even if ehe were sufliciently wicked, to aceomplish such a crime. [ler tale too-- that tale whivh she related in her defence —had struck him as being tuv extraor- dinaury to be a mere concoction; and he spoke em- phatically of the danger of trusting to cirette- stantial evidence, as well as of the deplorable errors Into which minkirl hag at cdifferont times fallen when rushing precipitately to a behef of a fellow. ereature’sa gilt. Such was the tenour of Mr. Red- chife’s discourse when 7 encountered him nexrly three months back in) Liverpool; and be further mformed ie that ha had been to the gaol to ace Lettuce Rolney~ but that she was raving in the delunun of fever aud unconscious of everything that was passing arvund. I invited him to the ail: he came and pussed a few days with me— duon?y which he instituted secret but minute in- qunies mito the character of the nurdored lawyer's houssheeper, Alva. Webber.” “Aud what was the result P” myuired Captain Stanley. ‘Nothing of importance,” responded the Bayo- net: “amedced, she appeared to be almost a com- pleto stranger jue Liverpool, and had only been a very ahurt time in Mr. Pullard’s service beftre he me! his death in so terrible a manner, Mr. Hed- chite besought wy good offices aa a inagistrate on behal of Letiee Rodney; and cre he took his d.jarture for Dondon, he begged me to write to hint so svon as the young wuman shuuld bein a condition to receive a visit from tum. Six weeks clapsed betop: I vas enabled te make such a eonn- q _munication : batin the mneantone [| revenved two or three letters from Mr. Redeiifie, nuarwunag ine that a few littl meidents whieh had come to his knowledge, seeined to afford something like a curs robvration of curtain parts of the tale which Let. tice Rodney had told in her defences. At the expiration of those six weeks, Mr. Ho delle re- turned, in consequence of a communication which he received from me; and he then had an inter. view with Lettice Rodney in the gaol, The result was to establish tho conviction in his mind that she is really innocent. But he prudontly abstained or, 247 m— Pe ta. eres eh Mol queleneieny, ah moge from giving her too much hope, ~leat after all it should be doSmed to disappuintinent, On that occasion he remained with me a few dayaz and now hie is retun ning Into our nemhbourhopd to es- suro himeolf that the lawyer to wham he has ep- trusted the case thoroughly understands it ” “All thie is most extraordinary!’ oxclaimed Captain Stanley: “the whole tale iy a romance” “ From the positive manner in which Mr. Red. clife has written and spoken to me," rejoined Sir William, “ I am fully inelined to adopt his opinion. Besides, as # visiting magistrate § have seen this Lettive Bodney--I have conversed with hor —I have questioned her upon various featurea of Ler tale~and | have found ker consistent in all its patta. That she is penitent, tov, I am wal assured ; and most sincerely du I hopo that Mr. Redcliffe will succeed in his hymane purpose.” “ And I entertain a aiailar hope,” cried Cuptam Sfaniey, with warmth, “Tf I can render My. Redcliffe the slightest aasistanod in prosecuting his inquiries or researches, I shail be only tov happy.” : “ He is a atrunge man, Robert,” ohacrved the Baronet; “and chooseg to do things in hia own way. heard it mentioned m Calentta that he had been for many years residont~-some said a prisoner-—ing the capital of Indorabad. It was morcever stated that he was poasossed of con- sideruble wealth. That he is the bravest of tho brave, | had the best proof when he delivered me frou tho marderous villains in the jungle: that he is tuniitniinous and noble-heartod, his eouduet in respret to Lettica Rodney fully certifies, [Tt must not huwever ba thought fora single moment {hat hia acquaintance with thia young wornman originates! in anything imraoral. Far from it.” “Llon,z to furta tho friendship of this admir- able man,” exvlaiaed the warw-heartes Captain Stanley. At this moment a poat-chaiso was seen approach- ing through the grounds; and as it drew nenr, the Baronet recognised Mr. Raeilcliffe as its ovcupant. He alighted to juin the two gentlemen: and the ebaisa Went on to the Hall to depomt his port- manteads "he Daronete grasped his guest warnnly by the hand - and then introduced him to his eon, Mr. dtedeliffi stated thateho had just eome from secing Letiice Rodney in the gaol: and he ex- pressed his conviction of her full and eomplota innocence of the murder, whateser her other mis- déogls roight have beon. ° The Baronet, the Captain, and Afr. Redaiffie ex. tended their ramble ty where the grounds 5 iued the road leading to Liverpovl; and as they were about to turn buck again, a stranzo-looking worn Pose up from the officer aide of the fence, - he having been previou-ly acated there. She was tall oud thin; aod af ber conplesion had been swarthy, ahe might have been taken for ong of tur Cay race: but uistead of being dark, is bad eviccutly In her more youtaful period been fair--and tt was Dow partiy sallow arid partly sunburnt. ber coun. tenance. Was exceedingly cinaciated and careworn : and a errtain wild wandering expression in the eyes showed but too plainly that the unfortunate creuture’s infelicets were unsettled. IJLer hair onee dark-- was streaked with gray: and yet sho did not appear to be old: —indeed, if her age were two or three years post forty, it was the very out. COMM we ial areys es RE TG PEO re eee kage gh i Be pw Juli Da egg nied 8017s gs BE es Pekiemigel-> ~anr Ens ip eae | | | | | NOG SS CO