The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 255: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OP THE COURT. strength: Tony Wilkins was many yeare younger, but was aleo endowed with considerable muscular power. The Cannibal possessed a degree of brute courage which was equal to any emergency : Wilkins, thongh less daring ordinary occasions, had a spirit which if goaded to desperation, would flame up, investing him with a more than natural energy. Therefore if these two and venturous on men engaged in # mortal struggle, it would be a/| him terrible one. As they looked at each other, they were both eurprised on a certain account, and for the same reason. Chiffin was surprised to observe that Tony Wilkins was apperelled in the meanest manner, notwithstanding the immense sum he had robbed him of at the boosing-ken in Bethnal Green. On | the the other hand, Tony Wilkins was surprised that Chiffin, with a reward set upon his heed, should go about in his wonted costume, which was rather of a conspicuous character. “So we meet,” said the Oannibel, in a hoares vouce, indicative of a concentrated rage: and his syes literally glared upon Tony Wilkins. “Well, it seems like it,” answered tho latter. * And what then P”’ “'Why, we are not likely to part again ina nOrry, I think,” responded Chiffin, “withdut a mischief being done to one or t’other of us.” “Tf you choose to begin, you'll find me ready,” rejoined Wilkins, with a determined air. “ But in course, if we make a row in the street, we ahail Tony | malignant, Wilkins on the other hand as quiekly closed lis lats clasp-knife and secured it about his person. Fen te ire, miscreants exchanged fierce, cunning look,—es much that the one knew what the other had been doing, and that they were mutually on their guard against any sudden and treacherous attack, When the pot-boy had lighted a candle, Chiffin took i trom im; and ordering some liquor, passed into the and liquor stood; and each helped himself with a cort of gloomy coolness to the brandy thus sup- pled. They drank without the slightest exchange of any of those compliments which under other circumstances would have paseed;—and when they set down their glasses again, they cyed each other with a sort of sullen, dogged, menacing . defiance. They both felt that the moment was come when something must be said or done, in order te settle the past or establish the terme on which | they were to be for the future. “With ali my heart,” res Y ‘kine. “You keep this side of the street—I'll go t’other ——” “Not a bit of it! We'll go arm-in-arm,” in- terrupted Chiffin, with a diabolical expression— half leer, half grin: “ we shall then be certain sure that one or t’other of us can’t run away.” “ ‘Wery well,” said Tony Wilkins ; “let it be so.” They linked themselves arm-in-arm—this pair of ruffians who were mortal enemiee—this couple of murderers who were bitter foes; and in that | “ manner, without speaking another word, they pro- ceeded along the narrow street till they reached the boosing-ken. All the inmates of the house were at rest: but inasmuch as the patrons and customers of the place were wont to call at all hours, the pot-boy alept just inside the front door, 20 as to be ready to answer any summons; and a bell was hung immediately over the spot where at night- time he was thus accustomed to make his bed. Tae bell was pulled—the door was speedily ald pretty the blant I had been ssving up to kesp me in my age e” ejaculated Tony Wiikine, meermng laugh: “you talk as if there wast't no such a thing es a gibbet, and no euch a chap as Jack Ketch.” he won't be too tired to do the work for another. But you hav’n't answered my question.” “I will answer it with another,” replied Tony. ‘s you think you are an exceeding pretty fellee—a regiar out-an’-out Kind of cokes a Sel Fish and iwi at Sol Pateh and hie wife P” It’s a lie!” interrupted Chifim fiercely. you have seen a since, you mnt have read that after you and me parted I was chased by a lot of chaps, and had to jump into the canal to swim away and save my life. Didn't I mest you at the boosing-ken ? and didn’t you bolt away tke @ shot P” “Well, I thought you was arter playing me « trick,” replied Tony; “and so, as I had myself to your binnt, in course I stuck to ft.” “And much geod it seems to have dome yeu,” ; | retorted the Cannibal. “Well, it didn’t do me neo that’s the fact |” anewered Wilkins. “I got blazing drank —tell amonget a set at ragamufizs—and was robbed of every . « That's a lie!” again ejaculated Chiffin. “You've got it about you ; and Dll have it—er I'll owt your heart out.” (COL (C DOO CS (COL