The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 243: what you’re looking at

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faggots there, and thauks for the accommodation. | But you ere sure——” He was about to ask whether the crone was con- fident that the robbers were not likely to revisit ber |i cottage: he however checked himself, as it struck him in the first place that there was something | i pusillanimous in the query—and in the second place that it was an uselese one as she could not possibly tell what the lawless ruffians might do— unless indeed she were an accomplice of their’s, which however he no Jon suspected. which lay on the had not been long there before his mind under- went a sudden and complete revulsion in respect turbed that night: the patchwork spread neatly and smoothly over the the bolster, covered with the sheet | bleached linen, which may be seen in the humb hovel in -France, bore not the impression of a | jd human head having reposed there. . The dame therefore had evidently told a false- hood—and a most unnecessary ane if she were honest. Again too arose in Octavian’s mind the thought that the hut wag too far from the road for any sounds occurring in the one place to be heard at the otber—especially by an old crone whose age forbade the belief that her sense of hearing was any of the keenest. And then too, even if she did bear the sounds, how could she possibly mistake them for the upsetting of a vehicle, when the loudest of the noises was the re- port of the firearms? ll pointe considered, Meredith felt convinced that there was something wrong about the woman—perbaps even the very worst: namely, that she might be an epcomplice of the brutal brigand murderers. What course should he pursueP If he were suddenly to pounce upon her and acouse her of treachery, her cries might bring the ruffians to her succour, and to the accomplishment of his own ‘ destruction: for who could tell how close they might be in the vicinage of the hovel? But if on the other hand he were to endeavour to steal forth, she might hear him, and a similar result would ensue. Again, he thought to himself that if he lingered there the villains might come fo the place—it might be their rendezvous—and they would perhaps despatch him for fear lest the in- formation he might give sbould lead to their de- tection. All things considered, Octavian resolved to seize upon the old woman, and by threats of wreaking a prompt vengeance upon her, make her confess whatevover he might be enabled to extort. But scarcely had he come to this deter- mination, when his ear caught the sounds of foot- ateps approaching the cottage. Tt will be deemed no derogation to his natural bravery if we admit that Meredith was for a mo- ment seized with a mortal terror, as the hideous ga THR MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. acigerte 4 Octavian gently closed the door, and at ance laid himself down on the gtraw ; for his mind was suddenly made up what course to adopt. He perceived that there was no intention to commit an unnecessary murder; he comprehended like- wise that the man who remained behind, and who appeared to be the chief of the , was ing to confer with Dame Roquette; and he saw that if it were possible to hear their discourse he might not only ascertain what the contemplated business was for the morrow, but likewise giean enough to enable the police authorities to make a capture of the whole gang. CHAPTER CXXX. OCTAVIAN AND SOR. Lorp Octavian Mzzupitu knew perfectly well that circumstances were now compelling him to play a very perilous game: but all his fortitude and self-posseasion were at his command, especially as he believed and hoped there was nom only one male ruffian to deal with in case of emergency. He deposited himeelf upon the straw, assuming the attitude of one who slept; be composed his features in a suitable manner—he' breathed as if he were indeed an unconecious slumberer. He heard the old woman and her ruffian com- panivn steal into the hut: the outer door was thea (COLL _ __ a, (A) OOO SS} (COLL