The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

220 is in existence for my son’s liberation; and the only way to defeat it, will be to remove him, under circumstances of the utmost secrecy, to another asylum. But the choice of such asylum may be left to the discretion of Dr. Burdett himself: he shall be entrusted with all the requisite arrange- ments; and the quarterly payments for the sup- port of my unfortunate son, can be effected through the doctor’s hands. In a word, Mr. Marlow, we will leave Dr. Burdett in his position as custodian of my son,—merely stipulating that the unhappy young man is to be transferred to another p “To be sure, to be sure,” sid the wulathe Mar. low, to whom this proposition on his kinsman’s behalf was agreeable enough. “ I will see about the matter in the course of the day. Indeed, I will lose no time; and Burdett shall be equally prompt in making the requisite arrangements. If your ladyship will leave it all to us, I will guarantee that everything shall be completed to your satis- faction within forty-eight hours. “ Forty-eight hours!” exclaimed Lady Saxon- dale: “it may be too late. During the interval the treacherous plot which is in progress, might be carried out. It is now only eleven o’clock— still early in the forenoon,” continued Lady Saxon- dale, after consulting her watch. “I beseech you, Mr. Marlow, to repair to Hammersmith at once, and see Dr. Burdett. He is sure to be acquainted with some other physician who will receive my unfortunate son; and let the removal take place during the night. I rely upon your peomptitnde in this matter: for, as you perceive, it is really and truly of the highest i impo “Then I will. at onos take it in hand,” said Mr. Marlow: and satisfied with this assurance, Lady Saxondale departed. CHAPTER CXXXIIL THE SIGN OF “THES THESE CADGEERS.” Tax reader will recollect that we left Chiffin the Cannibal at the moment that he had effected his escape from the Liverpool constables. When having time and opportunity for mature reflection, the villain deliberated what course he should pursue. It was abeolutely necessary that he should take his departure by some means or another for the United States,—not merely to obtain of the money which the Marquis of had promised to remit thither for his likewise because he found that his use—but native land was getting too hot to hold him. All prospect of being enabled to take his passage in a ship from Liverpool was now put out of the question; and he resolved, after well weighing the position of his affairs, to take a bold step as the best and the only means of accomplishing his object. This was to return to London, and get on board some vessel bound from the Thames for the Now World. “It’s pretty sure,” he said to himself, “ that those who got on my scent at Liverpool, had heard of my having made inquiries about the aailing of the American ships; and it’s also pretty sure that they will send up to London to let the authorities there know that they precious nearly CN a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. caught me, and that I am lurking about in the hope of getting out of the country. §So, comma- nications will then be sent off to all the sea-ports to keep a sharp look-out; and it will never enter their heads that I should be bold enough to go back to London. Therefore thats the very thing I will do: for, after all, London is the place to hide one’s-seif in.” These reflections were made at a distance of a few miles from Liverpool; and no sooner was the to retrace his way towards the metropolis. In about half-an-hour he reached a railway-station, where a Parliamentary vs proceeding south- ward, had just stopped. The —excited by his recent exploits at Liverpool, as well as by some liquor of which he had just been partaking at a wayside ale-house,—was emboldened to seek any adventure which might further his views. He accordingly paid his fare, and took his place as a third-class ; and on the following dey was ect down within « fow miles of the British metropolis. He roamed about in the fields and rested himself in ale-houses until the dusk was ectting in; and then made his way towards the nearest suburb of London. This was Hammersmith—on entering which, Chiffin be- thought himself of a low boozing-ken wherewith he was well acquainted in that neighbourhood and on the landlord of which he could confidently rely, no matter what amount of reward might be offered for his apprehension. For this landlord, by making his establishment a receiving-house for the plunder of the thieves who frequented it, amassed large profits; and, at the same time, he was too much in the power of his customers to betray any one of them,—inasmuch as they would make common cause to avenge such an act of treachery. Here, therefore, Chiffin knew he would be safe; and being much wearied with his day’s wanderings, he resolved to pass the night at the sign of the Three Cadgers—for such was the elegant appellation of the boosing-ken. It was shortly after nine o'clock that the Can- nibal entered this place, where he received & cor- dial welcome from the landlord; and into the tap-room, he ordered a good supper and plenty of liquor to be served up. Three or four other individuals, of the same stamp as Chiffin himeelf, and with whom he was acquainted, were regaling themselves there. They were characters of the most lawless and desperate description ; and enter- taining a high admiration for the Cannibal, they gave him a welcome as friendly as that which he had already experienced from the landlord. While they were seated in the enjoyment of the various comestibles they respectively fancied, two gentlemen entered the room. One was of exceed- ingly handsome appearance and elegant apparel ; and his mien denoted the foreigner. The other was of middle age—also well dressed—and was evidently an Englishman. The foreigner appeared to shrink back for a moment from the mean and aspect of the place, the cloud of tobacco- smoke which filled it, and the ill-looking fellows who were re themselves there: but it was merely with a sense of loathing, and not of alarm, that the Frenchman—for such he was—thus mo- mentarily recoiled. “Go on, St. Gerard,” whispored his English (COL (C DOO CS (COL