The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

tiie wee A ~eeiimiie, qnhew=, THE MYSTERIRS OF THR COURT. Ti serving liquor; and the woman at once saw by his lonk that he had something to communicate. “ Here’s a cove as wants you, ” he said ; “and though he hasn’t told me, I think is must be for the business you're come about. And he’s got ten minutes’ conversation some one with him.” “Who is it” demanded Madge impatiently. * Here's the genelman to speak for his-self,” answered the landlord: and the next moment Bob Shakerly entered the bar-pariour. He was followed by a man of even a greater age than bis own, and who was well clad, having alto- gether a most respectable appearance. . Madge started up from her seat; and gazing upon ‘this person in a scrutinising manner, seemed to be con- sidering whether his features were at all familiar to her. But they were not. “Sit down, my friend,” said old Bob Shakerly to the individual whom he had thus brought with him ; “and don’t speak’ a word till I tell you. Now, Madge,” he continued, ing himeelf to the woman, “is it all right about the biunt ?” “Are you prepared to claim it?’ she inquired, again looking at the stranger, as if more than haif- suspecting who he would prove to be. “I am,” rejoined Shakerly. “Come, Solomon, produce the bank-notes—and then I'll out with what I have to say.” “Is it to be s0 P”’ asked the landlord, appealing to “ Shakerly,” she at once said, “I have no time to lose. Is this Mr. Thompeon that you have brought with you P”’ “It is,” was the answer given by the old knacker. “One word—and only one word, said Madge; “so that I may assure myself that this is no trick om your part, Shakerly, to get possession of the “Rest assured, my good woman, whoever you are,” said Mr. Thompson, now breaking the silence which he had hitherto maintained; “that I would not become a party to any fraud or dishonesty. I do not even know what all this means. “Just one word in your ear, Mr. Thompson,” exclaimed Madge; “and then I shall know at once that it is all right.” “Well, only one word,” interposed Bob Shakerly : “for you can’t have your information, whatever it is you want, before the blunt is safe in my pocket.” “ Your friend Solomon Patch has got it,” rejoined the woman; “and therefore you can have no fear of receiving it. Mr. Thompson, a single word in your ear :”—and bending down ao that her repulsive coun- tenance well nigh came in complete contact with his venerable though care-worn one, she said in a low whispering tone, “If you were once the manager of a company of players, can you recollect the mame of a man and his wife, having two children, who were in your troop, and concerning whom you are acquainted with some particular secret P” “Ah! I know whom you mean—it strikes me at once!” answered Thompeon, speaking louder than herself had done. “Hush” she immediately interjected. “ Whisper et Dow ear.” “ Deveril,” he replied, uttering the word in a sub- duel voice aceording to the intimation he had just received, “Enough,” said Madge, with an air of satisfac- tion: then turning to Solomon Pateh, she added, “You can pay your friend Shakerly the Now go out into the bar together, and drink a | bottle of wine at my expense. with. here.” The old landlord and Bob Shakerly accordingly went forth from the bar-parlour, closing the door behind them. The former speedily produced the bottle wherewith the woman had bade them regale themselves; and he invited Shakerly to follow him “maj be hear. shee comed punktal 3 the time. should eay as how she have gott a pointmint at Cother side of regency park. ee eee eee as how eum but spose you thort itt best to kepe out the way til a heerd what she was ap 3. oat prommeesed i've sent thes fn lines to lett a no.” “So you hav’n't got the fifty-pound prise, young chap P” he said in a whisper. “ DP ve tried hard for it, thoagh,” was the response ; “but you might as well look for a needle in a bottle of hay, as arter that feller with such a precious little information as Madge could give about him. I suppose she’s here—bain’t she ?””’ “'Yee—but no matter. If you hav’n’t got the fifty pounds, I'll give you half-a-guinea to make you some amends. But you must cut off at once with this here note; and mind and don’t show it to nobody. You can guess who it’s meant for—cos there’s no address on the kiver.” “Knough—I understand,” responded Wilkins, and taking the note he put it into his waisteoat- pocket: then having received the promised reward, he sped away to execute the commission entrusted to him. Solomon Patch, having thus sent off his emissary, seated himself next to old Bob Shakerly; and while helping himself to wine,— and a precious compound Solomon’s wine was too,—he said to his companion, “How come you to be so fortunate as to light upon this chap Thompson and get the fifty peunds ?” “It was all a accident,” responded the knacker: “and when I got up this morning, I no more thought of the bit of luck that was going to tumble in my way, than that you was a likely chap to make me a present of a hundred pound “ Well, I don’t think I be wery likely to do that,” observed. Solomon, with a humorous grin. “But how came this luck to happen P” “In the first place, old friend,” answered Shak- erly, One, cokinn ap bekien ton dose’ oo bude Goat, smoking my bakker, ten days or so back, when Madge Somers come in and told all the folke COMMUC DOO CS (COL