The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. tective, looking significantly at the goldbeater’s wife, who was pale with terror. “Tt is enough to startle anybody,” she ob- served, once more by a mighty effort recovering her self-possession. “It’s the presence of you strangers that frightens tho poorcreature. As for the trap-door here, it only covers a well id “With steps to it,” said the detective, with an ironical smile. “Yes—with steps down toa certain distance: they are all broken at the bottom—and if you don’t mind——”’ “You think we shall be drowned? It’s a very curious earthy smell for water to send up; and what’s more,” added the detective, holding the candle over the opening, “ I can’t catch the reflec- tion of any water at all.” Bab felt convinced it was all up with the Barker; and she inwardly trembled on account of herself; for her arrest must necessarily follow, if No. 59.—FOURTH SERIES, Hi | 1 Hi oe a { \ \ , ; “ ‘) - 1 : AT \ S i} L} \ i 1 i = 2 al. 7 1 / \ 4," : it * 1. 1% a <= = a Deen only for the reason that she was harbouring a criminal on whose head a reward was set. She thought of escape: but how could she effect it? There was a man in the passage up-stairs; and she had been told that the back part of the pre- mises was watched by other officers. “ Now, Tom, hold the light,” said the tall detec- tive; “anc keep an eye——” He did not finish the sentence—but nodded sig- nificantly; and his sedate, quiet-looking, but not the less resolute subordinate comprehended that the allusion bore reference to Mrs. Smedley. Drawing forth a pair of pistols, the detective be- gan to descend the stone stepe of the subterranean —while his man held the candle conveniently at the mouth: and the former said in a stern deci- sive tone, “ Now, Mr. Smedley, we know you are here! You had better surrender yourself; for if you attempt any resistance, you will perhaps get la bullet through the head.” co Lf G OVO) (CO Lf