The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 351: what you’re looking at

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348 pression of countenance; “and they would not even give me them inexpressibles that I had been bargaining for. So I made the best of my way off from that public-house, and went down to another that I knowed of in Wapping. There I stayed till about a couple of hours back,—when I thought to myself I would just go and call at Saxondale House, and see whether her ladyship was at home: for if so, I knew she wouldn’t leave an old friend in trouble and danger. So I tramped all the way from Wapping to Park Lane: but just as I was going to knock at tho door, I twigged a couple of constables standing talking close by a lamp-post ; and I therefore thought I had better move on a bit. Then your lordship soon after overtook me ; and so, as the tale-writers say, I’ve brought down my history and adventures to the present mo- ment.” “It therefore appears,” observed Lord Harold, “that your finances are in no very flourishing condition P” “ As low as they well can be,” answered Chiffin. “A many times I have wanted to get clear out of the country, and take my gentility and good looks to America: but somehow or another, things have always turned up to keep me in England, ana prevent me from affording the Yankees the pleasure of a acquaintance with such a celebrated character as I am. This time, how- ever, if I can only get the wherewith—and which your jordahip seems to promise—it won't be very long before I take my departure.” “Then lis “and I will explain the object which I have in view. That woman of whom I spoke—Madge Somers—still lies an invalid at Mr. Deveril’s house. It suite my purpose—no matter why—that she should be removed thence-——— ultimately to be made away with,” added the young nobleman, lowering his voice almost to a whisper. “Well, my lord, nothing is easier than this,” answered Chiffn. “But why not have her made away with on the spot ?” _ “No: such a deed as that would create too tre- mendous a sensation,” rejoined Harold: “whereas, if she be simply borne away in the first instance, those from whose care she is taken will remain in the dark as to her fate; and a letter may be written to them a day or two afterwards, to assure them that the woman is comfortable and in good quarters, but that there are circumstances which render it necessary she should thus be retained in a seclusion which it will be useless for them to make any endeavour to penetrate.” “Haye your own way, my lord,” responded Chiffin: “it’s your concern—not mine; and if you pey, Tam bound to follow your lordship’s direc- tions. Where is she to be taken to?” “To some distance,” answered Lord Harold,—“ and under circumstances the best cal- culated to break off all clue to the route thus taken. But,” he added, with an ominous expres- sion of countenance, “she is to be made away with! Need I say more on this point ?” “Not a syllable, my lord,” responded Chiffin, with a grim look of intelli , “But there are other matters with which you must be made acquainted,” resumed Harold. “I have already engaged some men to act, when op- portunity shall serve, in this business——”’ TITRE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “'Who are they?’ demanded the Cannibal quickly. “They bear the euphonious names of Mat the Cadger and Spider Bill,” returned Lord Harold. “T know ’em well,” said Chiffin. “How came your lordship to be acquainted with such pleasant and agreeable individuals ?” “Some months ago I was led by curiosity to some horrible den in the neighbourhood of Lane, kept by a certain Widow Burley and her two daughtere———” “ Enough !” interrupted the Cannibal. “I un. derstand. Biddy Burley is the mistress of Mat the Cadger, and Polly Burley of Spider Bill. 8e I suppose you got at these chaps by means of them Burleys P” “ Exactly eo,” answered Lord Herold. “I pre- sume you will not refuse to act with them f want a man of your energy to lead them in the matter.” “To be sure they do!” cjaculated Chiffin, with knew full well that a smile of satisfaction, as if his astutenees and must invariably place him at the head of any villanous expedition or iniquitous venture with which he might become connected. “ All your lordship has got to do is to tell them to come to me. I know they are to be trusted ; and we'll lay our heads together.” Some further conversation took place between the young nobleman and Chiffin the Cannibal ;— and the former, having given the latter some money for his present purposes, took his depar- ” eaid Lord Harold Staunton: | ture. CHAPTER OLXL THE VILLA. WE must now return to the villa near the Regent’s Park—that villa which was the home of William and Angela Deveril, and at which Madge Somers still lay upon the bed of illness. The reader has already learnt how she experienced a most serious relapse in consequence of her endeavour to commit to a slate those words which she could not speak with the tongue, but to which she was so impa- tient to give utterance. Some weeks had now elapsed since that period when she did succeed in committing to the slate this brief and unfinished sentence :—“ William Doveril te the s——.” During that interval her position had been most dangerous ; and were it not for the assiduous ministrations of the beauteous Angela, she must have succumbed. The medical man who was in attendance upon her, frequently declared that to Miss Deveril’s kind attentions—-even more than to his own skill—wase the invalid indebted for the prolongation of her life; and that to the same cause she would chiefly owe her recovery, should it eventually take place. Within the last few days previous to the date to which our narrative has been brought, the me. dical attendant had been enabled to predict with confidence that she would recover: but still, as Lord Harold had ascertained, she lay prostrate and powerl hlese—and so weak as scarcely to be able to acknowledge by signs the attentions she received from Miss Deveril. This young lady had (COL (C DOO CS (COL