The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 123: what you’re looking at

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710 wanted, I should soon be bringing the Bow Street repnecs about him. The older he got, the more frightened he grew. But he needn't have enter- "| tained such fears for me. I have seen too mach to act with anything like a flagrant imprudence. And therefore, I tell you again that we may use this money, if we do it cautiously.” “It would really be a ain to forego such a chance,” enid Page, ta a musing manner: “especially after having made a successful beginning with the four pieces that we changed to-day. Besides, after all the vapouring and boasting at Hodson and Morley’s, it would be wretched indeed to find ourselves taken down so many pegs. The coin is certainly admira- ble,” he observed, balancing one of the spurious guineas om the tip of his fore-finger. “ Admirahle !” repeated Julia: “I am very sure that aot even an officer of the Mint himself could detect it, unless he cut it in two. The weight is the same—there's a thin coating of gold ali over—and it is cast in one of the Mint dies. My father was turned out of the Society of Friends on account of losing nis place at the Mint through being suspected of stealing the moulds. But tne authorities could not bring it home to him--and so he escaped punishment.” “ And this lette?,” observed Page, taking from the pocket-book the one that bore the Aylesbury nost-mark, and that related to the manner ia which tho “ gaods,” were to be packed and segs, this letter, J suppose, referred to seme transactiun re- specting a supply of spurious eoin ” “Yes: the Magsman managed the job—and my father coined the money. Three thousand guineas were first despatched to Aylesbury; and a quantity mare was ordered. But for some reason which J never heard, this second supply was not sent. JI lare say,” added Julia, “ that it 1s to this circum- stance we are indebted for the possession of the amount in that cupboard.” > “Yea—I see by this letter that the bankers fn- tended to have a second remittance of three thousand in six months,” said Page. “That would have been onthe 17th of last September: but I suppose that they got frightened and revoked the bargain. How- ever, all this does not relate to our own affaira’ What we must now do js to endeavour to negotiate with Lady Letitia Lade or Mr. Meagles for the sale af all the papers concerning Hannah Lightfoot’s business; and then we will pay a visit to Aylesbury to discover, if possible, a certain Richard Stamford,to whom we can be of great use.” “In what way f asked Julia. “He was the gentleman who was confined with me in the cellar underneath that house adjoining your own in the court,” returned Page. “But I will tall you all about that baronet and his misfortunes.” Mr. Page then proceeded to narrate to his wife those circumstances in connexion with Sir Richard Stamford which are already known to the reader; and we will now leave the worthy couple to discuss their schemes and their brandy simultaneously— which thay did until the clock struck midnight. CHAPTER XXZL ME. RAMARY, Iw the meantime anence of interest were taking place eleswhere; for in the early part af this same evening on which Mr. and Mrs. Page were thus Tacuaraing man, enveloped in an ample cloak, landed fram g whery im the immediate neighbourhoed of Harsly- dewn, and, having dismissed the boat, aped rapidly towards the Beggar's Staff. This individual was about eight-and-twenty years of age. Hin figure waa slight, but admirably pro- portiened, and by no means deficient in strength : hia teatures were regular end of the Grecian caat ;—his complexion was of a clear clive—and it would be mn possible to imagine finey eyea or mare beautiful teeth on the part of one of the sterner sex. His manners were prepossesgng, even to fascination ; and these was eo refined—may, even so noble an expres- sion im the encemble of his countenance, that an eb- server would have unhesitatingiy marked him as ane eminentiy cacw.ated to make friends with men and conquests amongst women. It was about sevea o'clock, and the evening wes very dark, when this individual landed en the bank ot the Thames in the vicinity of Horalydows. A few minutes rapid walking brought him to the Bag- gar’s Staff, the exterior of which he hawever surveyed for a few seconds ere he crossed the threshold, as if te aseure himeelf that it was the place which had bean described tohim. Satisfied with thie buet acrutiny, he beldly entered the booging-ken, aud feund himeslf in the midst of a metiey eoempeny Whish seamed to be the rakings of all the vilest dupes of a vile asigit- The Big Beggarman and Carrotty Poll were aagee ing at the bar; and to them did the new-somar ad- dress a. whispered inquiry for Mr. Joasph Wareu. “ Who are you?” demanded the Big Baggarmen, eyeing his querist suspiciously. “ My name is Ramsey—Philip Ramasy ef Ayles- bury,” was the immediate response. “Oh! that’s all right!” chimed in Casretty Pell, “‘You're not unknown to us, air,” ehe added, with a sly emile. “ Please to walk round;"—and she opened the little gate which led behind the enclosnse whence the liquors were dispensed. Rameey accordingly entered the dimiantive par lour, into which he was fellowed by the Big Beggar man and Carrotty Pell, a slip-shod waiter of mar- vellously seedy aepect being left te attend at the baz “ Pray sit down, sir,” said the Beggarman. “ As mry daughter just now observed, your name's quite familiar to us in this here place, In fact, i was ene of the party that managed the spree at Stanciasd Manor a little while back.” “ Ah! you allude to the carrying off of the baro- net f° exclaimed Ramsey, unhooking his cleak at the collar. “Then you are doubtless a fiiend and confidant of Joseph Warren f° “ Better knowed as the Magemaen,” interjected the landlord of the Beggar's Stafl 1“ Yes—me and that fine feller are staunch pals ; and what's his business fs my business—and what's my business is bis'n.® “Ts he to be seen now {” inquired Ramsey, whege countenance wore an expression of dep anuisty, DOO) iin co co