The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

= —as ———— -— = Ce eee ee ee. - $80 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. pedestal had thus been contrived to form that secret means of communication between the cloister and the place of tombs. Lady Saxondale passed on towards the chapel— but slowly and cautiously ; for she was fearful lest the Cannibal, on perceiving a light approaching, might in an access of superstitious alarm give vent to an ejaculation that would reach the ear of the constable keeping watch on the other side of the chapel door. But the man whom she came thus to succour, was as little prone to superstitious fears as herself; and moreover, he had all along been expecting some assistance on the part of her lady- ship—though he had been bewi himselt in conjectures how it could be possibly afforded, or N Saxondale approached from the cloister—than he knew full well who was nigh at hand. We should observe that the villain had been so a look of grim satisfaction: and really, if Chiffin were ever capable of a grateful sentiment, he ex- perienced it now towards one who did not desert him in the hour of his most bitter need. She placed her finger upon her lips to enjoin silence ; and then with the knife which she had brought, proceeded to cut the handkerchiefs which so firmly bound him. Ina few moments he was thus far free. him to up the severed ker- sits ad tke then With him, that is dp pearance from the chapel might in see morning seem all the more mysterious, and be all the mere incomprehensible,—she led the way back towards the statue; and the Cannibal stared in astonish- ment on perceiving that this colossal figure had turned almost completely round, and in thus moving away from the spot it was wont to ocoupy, had disclosed a small square aperture. Lady Saxondale descended first: and on reaching the bottom of the steps in the place of tombs, held the lamp in such a manner as to aid the Cannibal in | i following her. She then ascended a few of the steps again; and by once more pressing the knob, made the image turn round into ite proper place =the pedestal again hermetically sealing the secret aperture. “Follow me,” she said to the Cannibal: and |i these were the first words that were spoken from the instant she had appeared in his presence on this “J am uncommon obliged to your ladyship for thus thinking of an old pal,” responded Chiffin, whose heart was exultant: for he already felt as if he breathed the fresh air of freedom. “ But about that there little business you was coming to speak to me of-——’ “ Enough ! it cannot be done now,” interrupted Lady Sexondale in a peremp manner—and tory wot without a ‘eeling of intense disgust at the ! i i 2 or - familiarity with which the coarse ruffian addressed her. “You have not a moment to lose: you must make the best of your way hence. Without halting must you speed so as the darkness favours you: for there will be « loud hue and cry, and doubtless a fierce pursuit in the “All right, my lady,” responded Chiffin: “ de. pend upon it I will show ‘em a clean pair of heels. There isn’t no manner of mistake about that.” “Ah! one word, by the bye!” ejaculated Lady Saxondale, as if struck by a sudden recollection. “It appears, then, that you were the person who liberated my son, Lord Saxondale, from Dr. Fer- ney's house ?”” “Yes, ma’am-——I had that honour: and uncom- mon neat it was done, too, I can tell you. I sup- pose he was locked up unbeknown to you ?” “ Silenco—and speak not save in answer to my questions,” interrupted Ledy Sexondale imperi- ously. “Now, teli me, by whom were you en- gaged to accomplish this achievement P” “Two gentlemen, one of whom was a foreigner, —a mousseer, I should say by the cut of him.” “ Ah! and his name?” cried Lady Saxondale. “J don’t know it. His friend’s name was Lawson; and lives in Clifford Street, Bond Street.” “But this Frenchman—was he a young and the Count de St. Gerard!” thought Lady Saxon- dale to herself: then speaking aloud, she added, “ And these two gentlemen, you say, employed you i the circumstances.” COMMUC DOO CS (COL