The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 253: what you’re looking at

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

243 “ Murderer!" echoed the Viscount Delorme. “ Impossible! What madness is this ?— what terrible mistake has been committed? Stop !”— and the young nobleman, violently excited, rushed forward to detain the gexdarmes qs they were moving away witb their prisoner. “Viscount!” exclaimed Meredith, “ your gene- rous confidence has been villanously betrayed. You know not the plot from which you have escaped. Look at that miscreant!—his whole de. meanour bears evidence to his guilt! Away with him !” . The police-oficers hurried the false Baron—now utterly discomfited, and quivering with terror— from the apartment: but the utmost excitement prevailed amongst those who were left behind in thet room, Clarine had sunk down with a subdued shriek of horror upon the sofa, when the lips of Octavian proclaimed De Margaux to be a murderer: but Zoe was at hand to sustain and minister to her friend. The notary’s wife, with a groan expressive of the fearful sensation produced upon herself, clung to ber hushand; and he stared in horrified consternation upon the false Baron as he was bein hurried out of the apartment. Octavian caugh the Viscount Delorme by the arm, and burried! gave him a few words of explanation, to which that young nobleman listened with feelings that can be better imagined than described. Immense was the sensation which prevailed throughout the int, and which speedily spread through the vil- lage, when it was known thet the leader of the gang which had perpetrated the digbolic crime of the preceding evening had been discovered and taken into custody. When some degree of calusness was restored in the room where the arrest was accomplished, Lord Octavian Mereiith proceeded to give certain ex. planations. He stated how hia suspicious had been excited at Dame uotie’s hut, and how he was on the point of making ay endesyour te steal forth thence when his purpose was frustrated by the arrival of the band fn the vieinage of the little dwelling. He then went on to explain how the chief of the gang, having dismissed the rest, entered the hut, me pee the light before bis eyes, had been beg into the belief that he was asleep. “ But instead of ” continued Lord Oe. tavian, “I listened to the discourse which ensued between the chief of the gang and Dame Roquette Tecould mot succeed in overhearing all that was said: but in the first instance I wae surprised to find that the leader of that gang of wiscreants was speaking in language the most grammatically aceu- rate, and in a tone whieh appeared to denote the polished gentleman, instead of the low brutal ruf- fian. Having made some comments npon the awful work which had just bean accomplished, the leader went on to explain to Dame Roquette the business which be had in hand for the morrow— namely, for this day. There was talk of an am- bush to be laid and the mustering of the gang at some given point in the foyest, in order that a grand blow might be struck boldly and success- fully : for the chief expressed bis conviction that there would be more than one equipage, and there- fore many people to deal with. Then for some minutes he spoke in a lower tone so that I could THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. not catch what he said: but presently, to my eur prise and consternation, I heard him mention the names of M. Volney and his daughter. Ah! you may suppose that I was indeed startled on hearing those names: for I knew them to be those of the kind friends beneath whose roof my own wife was sojourning.” “The miscreant!” exclaimed the Viscount De- lorme. “ And to think that I should have for some years considered that man to be amongst my best friends! But proceed, my lord :—we are impatient for your explanations.” “ After that low whispering,” continued Octa. vian, “the leader of the murderous gang went on speaking to Dame Roquette in a somewhat more audible tone; and then goxr name, Viscount, was mentioned. I gathered that you were the accepted suitor of M. Volney’s daughter—that the bridal was to take place to-day—that after the ceremony you were to set out on your way towards Fontainebleau—and that you woull pass through this forest. I likewise learnt that by some means or another the miscreant chief had ascertained that you would most probably have a very large eum of money in your possession, and that the wedding. presents of the bride were to be of a most costly description, Then the leader’s voice again grew indistinct; and all I could succeed in ascertaining of this portion of his discourse, was that he himself would be upon the road—but whether in your com- pany or not, I could not rightly understand. He however gave Dame Roquette instructions relative to the part which she would have to perform. One of bis gang—a man bearing the name of Moalin— was to be likewise upon the road, and even I believe to penetrate into the neighbourhood of the Chateau itself—at all events to find an opportanity to hold communication with his chief and receive the orders which circumstances might render ne- eeseary. It is evident that the villanous leader was at that time only partially acquainted with your plans; aod he knew not precisely when you would pass through the forest. For precaution’s sake he did not desire his gang to muster too soon ; and therefore the object of this Moulin’s meeting him along the line of route, was to receive the instructions as to the hour of assemblage. I¢ was then tobe Dame Roquette’s duty to carry round the final order to the separate ghodes of the indi- viduals of the band; and thus, you perceive, no precaution was omitted by the fiendlike author of bhe plot in order to ensure its fullest success. Bat I must observe that throughout this discourse which took place between himself and Dame Ro- quotte, I did not once hear her address him by any name; nor was there a cranny in the door through which I might peep to obtain a glimpse of his countenance. Twice did he eome into the little room which had been allotted to me: twice did he pase the lantern before my eyes to aasure himeelf that I slept: but on neither oceasion dared I raise my eyelids even eo much as a hair's breadth, for fear the miseteant should perceive that I really slept not; and as I knew that he was armed to the teeth, while I was altogether weaponless, I was completely at his merey. Thus you will under- stand that the chief wont forth from the cottage without my having succeeded in obtaining the slightest idea of his personal appearance.” “I¢ was a night of horror which you pased!" ae ge A re a ~~ = a ini ied ie COMME OOO SS} (CO