The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 336: what you’re looking at

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

THB MYSTERIRG OF THB COURT. 827 “The people of the hotel—have they said any- thing to you ?” asked Sycamore. “Nothing more has been said to me since I left your presence in the forenoon:”—and then it struck Christian that if he left Mr. Sycamore in a state of fearful uncertainty, he might suddenly abscond,—in which case justice would be cheated of its due, and he himeelf would have given that very warning intimation which he had resolved not to afford. He accordingly went on to say, “I see through you, Mr. Sycamore; and that is the reason I choose to leave you. But for my own character's sake I am determined to have such a certificate or acknowledgment as that which I have described.” “You see through me P”” Sycamore repeated in- voluntarily: for he was trembling and quivering, and his senses were almost lost under the influence of terror. “ But the people of the ho 7 “They doubtless continue in the same happy state of credulity,” answered Christian, “as thet into which you have succeeded in lulling them ? Now, sir, without further delay, give me the docu- ment.” “But what use will you make of it?’ asked Sycamore, who for an inetant thought of bullying and blustering: but the next moment he felt that he had better not—for Christian’s demeanour was firm and resolute. “The only use I shall make of it,” replied the young man, “is that if ever a word be uttered aspersing my character in connexion with your name, I shall at one produce that document.” Mr. Sycamore appeared to be relieved somewhat by this assurance: yet still he required another one ;—and he seid in a voice of abject entreaty, “You will not, Mr. Aechton—you will not breathe 8 disparaging word——” ‘I promise you that I shall not meddie unne- cessarily in your affairs,” interrupted Christian. “The first thing to-morrow morning I shall leave Ramsgate.” “Ob! of course I shall pay you the money that is due to you,” cried Mr. Sycamore, who began to breathe more freely: and he even resumed some- what of his jaunty air of indifference. “Not a shilling!” ejaculated Christian. would not touch a single farthing of the money which you have in your possession !—and I will thank you Jo add to the document that I thus positively renounce every fraction in the shape of salary or remuneration.” “Well, just as you fike,” observed Mr. Syca- more, half sullenly, half flippantly: and then, as he sate down at the writing-table, he added with an ironical emile, “It is now for you to dictate aad for me to wield the pen.” Christian took no notice of this species of sar- castic jest: but he began to dictate a document in the sense which he had already sketched forth, —rendering the terms altogether exculpatory of himself with regard to complicity in whatsoever misdeeds might subsequently transpire in respect to his employer. Sycamore winced considerably beneath this inftiction—for such to all intents and purposes it was. Once or twice he looked up into Christian's countenance : but he bebeld firm re- soluteness there; and he was compelled to write on unto the end. When he had finished and signed the document, Christian read it carefully over—felded it up—and placed it in his pocket. “eT “ You really don’t mean me any mischief ?” said Mr. Sycamore, again adopting a tone of entreaty. “Whatever promises I have made you,” an- swered our hero, “ shall be faithfully fulfilled.” He then issued from the room ; and descending to the bar of the hotel, said to the young female radiant te accounts in bo landlord’s absence, yuu e me outa bill altogether separate from that of Mr. Sycamore P”’ mee “Certainly I can, sir,” she replied, with a look of amasement. “ But why do you ask the ques- tion P”’ “ Because I have resigned my situation with Mr. Sycamore,” responded Obristian: “and as I intend to leave the hotel to-morrow morning, it suits my arrangements with Mr. Syoamore to settle my own account off-hand.” “In that case, sir,” answered the bar-maid, “ your bill shall be made out. But I hope that there has been no sudden disagreeoment—nothing unpleasant——~”’ “Do not say another word now,” in Christian: “and I will take an opportunity of letting you know all about it a little later.” He then repaired to his own room, where be began to peck up his things in preparation for departure in the morning. . Meanwhile Mr. Sycamore had been left in no very enviable state of feeling: for he could not rightly conjecture the cause of Christian's conduct. Indeed he knew not whether it were better to decamp at once—or whether he might venture to remain at the hotel until the first thing in the morning—et which time he had already come to the determination of departing likewise. After having taken two or three agitated and uneasy turns to and fro in the room, he rang the bell and desired that his man James might be ordered to step up to him. “Well, James,” said Mr. Sycamore, as soon as his accomplice made hie appearance, “ things seem © to be taking an awkward sepect-——But are you sure you have shut the duor ?”” “Yes, yee—the door’s shat fast enow,” an- swered James. “But how do you mean that things is-looking orkard? Where's the orkard- ness P’’ “TI mean that young Ashton has suddenly left me,” responded Sycamore ; “ and he said as plainly as he could speak that he has seen through me.” “How could he have found out anythink ?” asked James. “Did he suspect that you yourself answered them letters which was written to Dukes, Marquises, and Kerls, bankers and Baronets; and that [ sent up them answers of your’n in a parcel to my brother in London to be posted there P” “I don’t know how he came to » replied Sycamore impatiently: “but I do know that the case is getting devilish serious.” “But you meant to leave to-morrow morning,” seid James: “it was agreed upon "twixt you and me that our quarters was to be shifted.” “‘Yes,” exclaimed Sycamore; “ because I reckoned upon what this evening’s business might produce. Here have I got hold of two young chaps with plenty of money—TI have already ascer- tained that they are ready to take a hand at cards or rattle the dice—a splendid little dinner is ordered—I should ply them with champagne—I (COL (C DOO CS (COL