The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 129: what you’re looking at

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at a ee SC, eA 122 Chiffin stopped short, irresolute for a moment how to act: indeed, he was suddenly dismayed by this bursting forth of a posse of persons from the house in question. The gloom of the hour was quite sufficient to save him from recognition, had no artificial light been used: but all in a moment one of the policemen, drawing beck the shade of his lantern, flashed the light of his bull’s-eye full on the ruffian’s countenance. «“*Tis Chiffia!” was the cry instantaneously raised by half-a-dozen voices: staves were drawn—and there was a quick rush towards him. His club~an invariable companion of the Can- nibal’s—instantaneously struck down the foremost of the officers: but his way across the bridge was barred—and he had no alternative but to dash along the road, which had a row of houses on one side and the parapet of the canal-wall on the other. The officers were close at his heels; he tore along at a furious pace: it was indeed for life or death. His preaence in Agar Town at that precise time would not fail to be connected with the double murder at the boosing-ken, when the crime should be discovered; and if brought home to him, his path to the gibbet would be inevitable. His position was therefore desperate: and desperate was the thought that flashed to his brain. But what wasthis? In afew moments we will explain it. He might have turned off into any of the diverging streets: but his capture would be certain —for the officers were gaining upon Him. He might Jead them a dance amidst the maszesof Agar Town: but they could disperse themselves~and he must fall into their hands. He could turn and fight desperately—he had pistols in his pocket—he had « crowbar that would do murderous work, as well as his club: but though by means of all these weapons he might level the foremost of hie enemies, he was certain to be overpowered by numbers. All these reflections swept through the man’s brain in an instant,—quick as thought alone can travel. Then what was the desperate idea which had suggested itself? We shall now see. Chiffin had sped furiously on during the space of about two minutes: and, as we have already stated, his pursuers were rapidly gaining upon Mim. He glanced back: the foremost were not fifteen yards distant. In another two minutes he would be in their hands! All in a moment he eprang upon the parapet—balanced himself there for another instant -—and in the next made one tremendous spring for- ward, disappearing from the view of the officers. They stopped short literally appalled—for the height was great, and if he fell on the towing-path beneath, he must either be killed on the spot or fearfully maimed. But a tremendous splash in the water far below made them aware that Chiffin had cleared the towing-path and had plunged into the canal. Some of the officers rushed to the parapet and looked over: some sped forward to seek a descent to the tuwing-path; while others as quickly retracod their way to hurry across the bridge and intercept the Cannibal’s flight on the opposite side. The confusion and excitement were immense. Those who remained looking over the parapet, threw the light of their bull’s-eyes down into the cutting through which the canal ran: but the rays reached not far enough to find reflection on the surface of the water—nor could the glances of the men pene- a a ee THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. trate through the depth of gloom into which they looked down. Gurgling and sp heard, evidently produced by the struggling of the Cannibal in the water: but in about a minute they ceased altogether. It was more than two or three minutes before any of the officers succeeded in getting down upon the towing-paths on either side; and then it was too late. Nothing could be heard or seen of the e e ‘ noises were Cannibal. A careful inspection of the bank, how. | ever, on the opposite side of the canal to that where he had plunged in, showed where he must have scrambled out, as that particular spot was all wet. In the same manner his progress was traced a little way along the path; and in this direction did the officers accordingly speed—but without success: he had fully accomplished his escape. Three or four hours later, when the potboy and eervant-woman at the boosing-ken rose to enter upon the duties of the day, they made the fearful discovery of the horrible murder which bad been perpetrated. - An alarm was quickly raised—the neighboarhood was aroused—the utmost excitement prevailed. The servants knew that Tony Wilkins had been asked to remain for the night at the house: his bed had not been slept in—be had dis- appeared—and there was consequently no doubt as to his guilt either as the sole perpetrator of the deed or as an accomplice. The police repaired in dus course to the scene of the Lorrible tragedy; and it now became known that Chiffin was encounterod and chased in the middle of the past night. It was not therefore difficult to imagine that he was one of the authors of the crime; and measures were ao cordingly taken with promptitude for the appreben- sion of the Cannibal and of Tony Wilkins. CHAPTER CXIIL THE TWO MUSUERERS. Im the meantime Tony Wilkins had to King’s Cross, according to the directions of the elder ruffian. He lounged and \loitered about for ten minutes, and then began to think it strange that Chiffin did not come. Another ten minutes clapsed: but still the Oannibal made not his appearance. Suspicions had been growing and strengthening in the mind of Tony Wilkins during these last ten minutes ; and he came to the conclusiom that the Can- nibal meant to self-appropriate all the produce of the orime. Wherefore hed he not made the division previous to their separation P and wherefore did he not keep his appointment now? Wilkins was almost distracted at the thought of having committed so hideous a deed and placiog his neck in peril of a halter, without reaping one farthing’s benefit. He had scareely any money about his per- son; and it was absolutely necessary he should get away from London as soon as possible. What was he to do? The idea occurred to him that be had better proceed at once to that boosing-ken in Bethnal Green where he knew that Oiiffin had purposed to take up his temporary quarters, be having left his lodging in Camden Town imme- diately after the attempted assassination of Madge Somers. For Wilkins thought that if anything had —— (eff oe ._ Qumran (COL (C DOO CS (COL