The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 135: what you’re looking at

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hasty syllables of congratulation at this succeanfist adventure, and plunged hand in hand into the maze of streets lying between Horslydown and the vicinity of London Bridge. In half-an-hour they reached the main thu: ough- fare in Sout&wark; and thence they took a hackney- coach to Meagies’ lodgings in Jermyn Street, where they arrived shortly after one o’clock in the morn- ing. A cheerful fire was burning in the grate—ea good cold supper was spread upon the table—and the two friends speedily indemnified themselves for the fatigues, annoyances, and perils they had en- countered during the past five or six-hours. They then retired to repose in each other's arms, it being too late for the Amazun to return to her own tic room, and warned them that they had still much £0 contend azaiust, unless there were an outlet from ‘that yard otherwise than through the house. Buta few mome: 's’ rapid investigation convinced them that there wa: not: and no alternative remained but to adopt thziv original resolution of forcing their way into the street. A low wiudow, apparently belonging to a kitchen, looked into the yard; and as no light shone forth, they concluued that the place was unoccupied at the moment. Thither they accordingly penetrated; and, their conjecture as to the nature of the room being correct, they provided themselves with the fire-irons as weapons of defence. Meagles then led the way ‘up 2 narrow and dark flight of stairs, with a formid- -able shovel in his hand: while the Amazon followed, wielding a huge poker. Slowly and noiselesaly did they proceed, until a door at the top of the steps barred their passage; and the close vicinity of shouts and laughter in- formed them that this door led direct into the public room. “The moment f open,” said Meagles to the Ama- zon, in a whisper only just audible, “do you spring into the apartment and make for the street. At- ‘tempt not to look behind you—don’t waste a thought upon me—every instant will be precious. We have got thus far—and we will not spoil the adventure by any folly on our part.” “I am ready,” responded the Amaéon, grasping . the fire-iron firmly. The door flew open—and she darted into the -goom. Meagles was close behind her;—and their . sudden appearance, armed as they were, made all the revellers teap from their seats and crowd round them in an instant. “ Let us pass, good people!” exclaimed Meagies, raising his formidable weapon over his head, and sweeping the host of villanous faces with his me- macing looks. “Stop them!” thundered the Big Beggarman, ‘rushing from behind the bar: and, elbowing his way with marvellous rapidity through the group, he laid a violent grasp upon the collar of the Amazon’s coat. Without sn instant’s hesitation the hervic lady felled the ruffian with a tremendous blow dealt by the heavy poker: and the Big Beggarman lay sense- dess at her feet. “Serve him right!” ejaculated a dozen voices. “She has got a noble spirit of her own!” cried one, following up the cry. “She treated us just now like a Princess, as she is.” vociferated another. : “ And I will treat you again, good people—if you will aid us to eseape from the clutches of that treacherous villain,” cried Lady Letitia, pointing indignantly down at the Beggarman: then, at the next moment, she drew out her purse and showered its glittering contents amongst the delighted men and women gathered around. An instantaneous scramble took place; and Meagles, seizing Letitia by the hand, led her hur- siedly forth from the vile den. Not a finger was raised to bar their passage: they gained the street dn safety —and, on pausing for a moment at the end of Hurslydown to listen, they could hear the en- thusiast ic shouts of the motley company in the g-ken, but not a foutstep in pursuit. Throwing away their weapons, they exchanged eee S (——Tameioe m= Ce a dweiling. CHAPTER XxXXV. CARROTTY FOLL'S RETURN TO THE BOOZING-EEN. Wuew Lady Letitia Lade emptied her purse amongst the revellers at the Beggar’s Staff, there was such a scramble for the gold and silver thus lavishly poured forth, that not a soul thought of | rendering assistance to the Big Beggarman, who lay senseless on the floor, stunned by the blow the Amazon had so effectually dealt him. And all the while the men and women were employed in picking up and searching for the coin, they voci- ferated the most enthusiastic cries in praise of the generosity of the beautifal huntress. At length an old crone, who bad succeeded in securing a guinea as her share of the bounteous gift, took compassion upon the burly, landiord ; and the waiter, having likewise profited By the scramble, now proceeded in a feisurely mannér to lend his aid. Some water was sprinkled upon the raffian's countenance—some lirandy was powered down his throat—and in a short time he opénéd his eye. His senses were however siow in rebuming their empire—for the chastisement he had received was severe: and when at last he was enabled to eollect his scattered ideas, and exercise the powers of his memory, he broke out into the most diabolical im- precations against the whole company for having allowed Meagles and Lady Lade to escape. This proceeding on his part only provoked the laughter, jeers, and low witticisms of those whom he thus reviled; but his wrath was somewhat appeased on learning that the Amazon had showered gould and silver in profusion amongst the crew,—for the greedy ruffian was well aware that the larger por- tion thereof would find its way into his till ere sunrise. | A strong giass of hot brandy-and-water, the alcoholic spirit preponderating in quantity over the elementary fluid, restored the Big Beggarman pretty well to his ordinary humour: but he still experienced a racking pain in the head. Being curious te discover how his late captives could possibly have made their escape, he ascended to the chamber where he had imprisoned them ;—and the bed dragged up to the window—the open case- ment—the absence of all the sheets, blankets, and eoverlid, as well as the very carpet—and then the rope iteelf, rapidly developed to his amazed comprehension the desperate means which had ‘been adopted by Meagies and the Amazon to =D ~~ te &— — — eee a ee) AOC COMM SS co