The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 265: what you’re looking at

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256 remarking that he believed their course to be SHE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ability, in ferreting out the Burker and Bill plain and simple eneugh. They were of the same | Scott. opinion : for after only five minutes’ consultation, and without leaving the box, they returned a ver- dict of * Not Guilty.” Although this decision was expected by Lettice Rodney, yet the instant it was delivered she was so overwhelmed by her feelings that she sank down in a swoon, and was thus borne out of court. At the same time Mrs. Webber was given into custody, charged with the crime for which Lettice Rodney had been tried: but it was understood that the infamous woman should not be placed upon her own trial until the Autumn Assizes. The reason was not specified in court: but every one comprehended that the delay was agreed upon in order that time might be allowed for the cap- ture of her two accomplices, Barney the Burker and Bill Scott. Before concluding this chapter, we may as well observe that Mr. Redcliffe was the unnamed gen- tleman who had employed the detectives to watch the proceedings and movements of Mrs. Webber. It was in consequence of the information from time to time received from those officers, about the visite of Barney and Bill Scott to the alley commu- nieating with the Smedleys’ house, that he had certain hints to Sir William Stanley, both in his letters and his conversation, relative to cir- cumstances corroborative of Lettice Rodney’s in- nocence. It will be likewise understood wherefore in that interview with Lettice which we have de- scribed, Mr. Redcliffe questioned ber so partica- larly with regard to the two ill-looking men whom she had spoken of as Mre. Webber’s accomplices. We may likewise add that when Captain Stanley left the court at the ealiest stage of Mrs. Webber's examination, it was for the purpose of transmitting to the metropolis the telegraphic measage which brought back the information of that woman’s mendacity in respect to the former situations she had filled. CHAPTER XLVIOL LOW LIFE IN LONDON. Ir will be remembered that Captain Stanley had to his uncle Sir William, his desire to be of service to Mr. Redcliffe in those proceedings which the latter gentleman had so secretly but so judiciously carried on. ‘The Captain's offer had duly mentioned to Mr. Redcliffe; and it was in pursuance of a hint received from the generous philanthropist that Captain Stanley set off to denon by the first train which started after the Mr. Redcliffe pu to remain a few days longer with his friend Sir William Stanley, in order that he might adopt some measures for the future welfare of Lettice Rodney, and to place her in a position which would save her from the chance of being driven by poverty back again into the way of life which she had been leading at Madame Angelique’s. As Mr. Redcliffe therefore could not immediately return to the metropolis, he had har- ried off Captain Stanley in the manner deacribed, in order that this gentleman might assist the detec- tives, and co-operate with them to the best of his Captain Stanley reached London early in the morning; end after a few hours’ rest, he pro- ceeded in the forencon to call upon the lieutenant- colonel of his regiment, who was likewise then in in the army, he was but twenty-seven years of age. Captain Stanley received a kind welcome from his superior officer, with whom indeed he was on most intimate terms ; and he explaimed the business that had brought him to London. “But do you not think, my dear fellow,” in- quired Lord Charles, “that the detectives are a thousand times more likely to discover these mis- creants than you are P” “TI am not so sure of that,” responded Stanley. “These villains will be so completely on their guard that they may manage to elude the detee- tives for a long time to eome.” “ Then doubtless you have some plan in view ?” said Lord Charles Meredith. “Ip to throw myself, as it were, every night into the lowest neighbourhoods, and to pene- trate into the vilest dens, as if merely impelled by curiosity, or else under the pretence of discovering some one whose fictitious description I shall ren- der as different as possible from that of either of the real objects of my search. By these means I may possibly light upon them; and if not, there will be no harm done.” “But you have never seen either of these ruf- fians?” said Lord Charles. ‘““No—it ws trae,” rejoined Captain Stanley: “but I have received from the detective so minute and accurate a description of them, that I am convinced I should recognise them in a mo- ment.” “J have a very great mind to bear you com- pany in your search—or at least for the coming night,” said Lord Charles Meredith. “I have beard and read much of these loathsome neigh- bourhoods and hideous dens where poverty and crime herd together—and I should like to see them.” “It was in the hope you would be my com- panion, that I have sought you now,” replhed Captain Stanley. The two officers then settled their ments: it was agreed that they should dine to- gether in the evening, and afterwards sct out upon A little after ten o'clock they might have been seen wending their way towards Westminster Bridge together. Although it was the middle of summer, the night was cold and inclement: a drizzling rain made the shop lights and the street lamps appear as if they were seen through a must. The daughters of crime were standing under door- ways, or huddling together at the entrances of courts; while the ragged and half-starved children of poverty were dragging themselves shiveringly along to the resorts and dens where they har- boured at night—or else to such places as would afford them ‘any kind of shelter against the chilling and damping atmosphere. Lord Charles Meredith and Captain Stanley, protected by their paletote, (COL (C DOO CS (COL