The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

LL CE IES A Sa pte TRE MYSTERIES, 68 convince you that I’m in earnest, and indeed to place myself somewhat in your power, I'll tell you openly and candidly at once that the whole business about Caroline Walters’ leap from the winder was a put- up affair on the part of Grumley and me; and a certain fashionablo milliner at the West End, whose name shall be nameless, was the person which insti- gated us to get the young gal off in some fashion or another. Well, we was to have five hundred guineas for the job: and as soon as it was done—indeed, on the wery night that the leap from the winder took place—Grumley called on the milliner aforesaid to receive the blunt. [ went with him as far as the door of her house; and ho said enough to let me know that he was rayther in love with her: for she’s a wery handsome woman. Well, there we parted ; and from that moment I’ve never clapt eyes on him again. Next moraing I called on the Jady—that is to eay, the milliner—and she assured me he didn’t remain with her above ten minutes or a quarter of an hour at the outside. She likewise told me that she had paid him the five hundred guineas; and she gave me fifty for myself. I thea took my departure : and. now, Miss Price, you see how matters stand and you will believe that I am in earnest in everythink 1 am saying or doing.” “ Yes—I believe you now, Mr. Mobbe,” answered Carrotty Poll: “but you will excuse me if I was ra- ther suspicious at first ?” “ *t mention it, my dear,” said Mobbsa, “We have now come to an understanding together——” At this moment the low door at the end of the little room was opened suddenly; and the Gallows’ Widow made her appearance. “I’ve overheard every syllable that has passed netween you,” she hastily exclaimed ; “and I think I can add some important information to what you already know concerning your friend Grumley,”’ she added, fixing her eyes upon Mobbs, “Indeed!” ejaculated Carrotty Poll. “Then you'll share the fifty guineas with me, Lizzy, if you earn them [” “'Yes—yes,” said the Gallows’ Widow: “I always act fair towards my pals.” “But what do you know about Grumley, Mrs. Marks ?” inquired Mobbs, unable to restrain his im- patience.” “T will tell you allin good time,” returned the Galiows’ Widow, now speakiog without excite- ment and deliberately taking a chair at the table. “During the whole of your conversation, Mr. Mobbs, with Poll Price, l’ve been on the other side of that door; and therefore I have not lost a word of it. The fashionable milliner to whom you alluded, is Mrs. Brace of Pall Mall.” “Ah! you’re indeed upon the scent—that’s plain enough !” cried Mobbs. “Go on.” “On the same night when Grumley called upon Mrs. Brace, I paid her a visit also,” proceeded the Gallows’ Widow; “and I saw her and Grumley together.” “Ie that possible, Lizzy 2” exclaimed Carrotty Poll, “ Why—yon did not tell me anything about it?” “I have only seen you twice aince then,” said the Gallows’ Widow: “last Wednesday and to- night—and on neither occasion had we much time to chatter upon indifferent things.” “But didn’t Grumley arrest yo: ” demanded Viobbs “To be sure he did,” answered Elizabeth Marks: “and Mrs. Brace made a compromise with him te get me off. In a word, Grumley imposed his own conditions—and she consented.” “ What was the conditions?” inquired Mobbs. “Fifty guineas in cash and a share of Mrs. Braoe’s bed forthe night,” was the startling response. “ By jingo !” ejaculated Mobbs, a sudden remi- nisoence striking him: “I now recollect that when { called upon the milliner, she seemed very much excited and confused—and I fancied she had been drinking.” “ But did you observe of what nature was the confusion she exhibited ?” inquired the Gallows’ Widow, her manner suddenly becoming profoundly mysterious. “ Because there is an embarrassment arislug from shame, and another from guilt :; a man of your profession, Mr, Mobbs, ought to know the difference,” “Well, now—you've excited strange ideas in my head,” observed Mobbs, in a reflective tone ; “and [ do remember that Mrs, Brace’s manner was un- commonly suspicious. And the moro I think of it, the more it reminds me of the way in which a woman looked and spoke when I went to take her up on suspicion of murdering her husband some years ago.” “Ah! then Mrs. Brace looked and spoke like a murderess—uid she?” said the Gallows’ Widow, her usually tranquil voice now expressing a fiendish malignity. “You know more than you choose to admit, Mra. Marks,” exclaimed Mobbs. “But, by jingo! if such a thing has really taken place-——” “What thing?” demanded tho Gallows’ Widow. “ Why—that Grumley has been murdered,” re- plied Mobbs: “and now I have put into the shape of language the suspicion which you have excited in my mind.” “ And you have fully caught the meaning which I intended to convey,” said the Gallows’ Widow. “For how stands the matter? The last trace which we at present posseas of Peter Gramiey, leaves him at midnight in Mrs, Brace’s house. He has uever been seen or heard of afterwards. It is quite clear that he did not intend to make himself scarce at that time: because if he had entertained such a notion, he would not have arrested me. But that he had been making love to Mrs. Bruce before | called, was clear cnough from what he said when he imposed upon her the conditions of that com. promise in virtue of which I was suffered to depart scot free: and from all I observed, it was equally clear that ahe viewed with horror and loathing the prospect of submitting to the embraces of such a many. You must also reflect that she had that same night paid thi8 very man five hundred and fifty guineas: and now what aspeot does the whole affair assume ?” “Why, that the milliner had every inducement possible to make away with Grumley,” answered Mobbs,—“not only to get back her money, but likewise to rid herself of the necessity of admitting him to her bed.” “Such is my idea!” exclaimed the Gallows’ Widow, with the excitement of a malignant triumph: then between her teeth she muttered, “Now, Mrs. Brace, I will be avenged upon you for the contempt and scorn with which you treated me the ather night!” GOH GOO SS