The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 355: what you’re looking at

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352 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. The vilmins then issued forth one by one, and at intervals of a few minutes, from the public- house,—the three who were to be actively em- ployed in the enterprise, taking different directions to gain the point of meeting, which had been already settled. This was in a narrow and dark lane at no great distance from Deveril’s house; and there a covered spring-cart was waiting. The horse attached to it, was a strongly built as well as fleet animal; and a man in Lord Harold's pay was in charge of this equipage. Close by, too, Lord Harold bimself was waiting. Enveloped in a rough pea-coat, and with a glazed hat, the large brims of which slouched over his countenance, he was pacing to and fro with some degree of im- patience, the time for the appearance of his agents having clapeed by some minutes. At length they came one by one; and Chiffin, who was the first upon the spot, assured his lordship that it was all right, for he had been closely questioning the gar- tener upon the subject. “Then let us to work at once,” said the young nobleman: “ becauso when Deveri] got to Eden- bridge and found out that the letter was all a trick, he would naturally take the Marquis’s carriage-and-four and return home. But that would make it past eleven o'clock ; and so there is plenty of time, if we are expeditious.” “But about the up-trains, my lord FP’ said Chiffin inquiringly. “TI took good care to ascertain,” responded Harold, “that there are none which could serve his purpose eo as to bring him up in time to interfere with us. Now then, you fellows, go on together: we will follow with the vehicle exactly five minutes after you leave, so that it won't have to stand long at the gate of the premises.” “Five minutes in advance will be ample,” re- sponded Chiffin. “If the inmates are in bed, we'll break into the house in a jiffy: butif they’re still up it will be easier work still.” Having thus spoken, Chiffin led the way from the spot, closely followed by Mat the Cadger and ‘Spider Bill; and in three minutes they were at the villa. The hall-lamp was still alight; and a candle was also burning in an up-stairs room—so that it was evident the inmates had not yet retired to rest. Chiffin’s itions were speedily made : he was to enter by the front door, while his two companions were to effect their entry by the back part of the premises, and thus as it were take tho place by storm. They were provided with black masks, which they put upon their countenances previous to commencing operations. We will first follow Chiffin. He traversed the front garden and rang the house-bell,—having done which, he turned his back towards the door, so that the instant it should be opened the servant answering the summons, might not at the first glimpee catch sight of his mask. He was not kept long waiting: the door was opened—he made one step backward—caught the female by the throat -and kicked the door to with marvellous ra- pidity. “ Not a word ! not a atruggie !’”’ he said, in the low hoarse whisper of his terrible voice: “or I’li throttle you !” There was scarcely any need for this injunction, masmuch as the young woman at once swooned with the awful terror which seized upon her. SS Ny SM as —, Meanwhile Mat the Cadger and Spider Bill had leapt over the wall at the back of the premises; and stealing into the kitchen, thay found the other two female servants (for the Deveril’s kept three) seated at work. Mat sprang upon one—his com- panion en the other. The first -who was thus assailed, gave vent to a slight egream—but only a slight one ; for it was instantansously stifled by the rude "hand that gagged her lips :—while the other female was seized with too profound a dismay. to cry out at all. They both received the hurried assurance that if they remained quiet no harm would befall them, Almost immediately - afterwards footsteps were heard the seteirs ; and Chiffin appeared, bearing the inani- mate form of the housemaid who had answered the door. “Now then,” he said, with growling hastinees of tone, “ let us put these women into some secure nook—and then for the rest of the business. Ah! there’s the coal-cellar quite handy !"—end forth- with the door of that place was The two women who had not fainted, but-cover whose mouths reugh hands were forcibly held, showed by their looks how wild was their terror. The villains repeated their assurances that harm would befall them if they remained quiet: but they likewise vowed that the slightest scream y the coal-cellar; and the bolt was drawn upon them. ‘ Now then for up-stairs,” said Chiffin : and he led the way, followed by his two accomplices. As there had been no light perceived in the ground-floor rooms, “hey did not think it worth while to enter them: but they crept up towarda that where the Cannibal had seen a candle burning. into the room. “ Not a word, or you're dead !” ejaculated Mat the Cadger, as he caught hold of the young lady with one hand, and with the other produced a pistol from his pocket. forced her down into the chair—whipped out a cord from his pocket—and in a moment bound her arms to the beck of the seat,—at the same renewing his hornmble threats, While this doing, Chiffin and Spider Bill ecized upon 3 Somers and tore her from the bed. the work of a few instants; and now vibrate from Angcla‘s ‘lips, placed the muzsle of his pistol But at this instant there was a hesty rush of footeteps up the stairs : and the ucxt moment Wil- liam Deveril, Don Christoval, the young Lord Everton, and the Marquis of Kagiedean made their appearance, each presenting pistols and bid- ding the villains surrender. Chiffin the Cannibal CO IMULUG CY DOO CS (COL