The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “Oh! I "spose it’s a plant, then?” observed the officer, with characteristic coolness, as he slowly rolled himself round in the huge chair so as to be enabled to enjoy a good long stare at Mra. Page. “ A what did you say?” demanded the husband, bristling up under the impression that some insult- ing epithet had been applied to his wife. “Now don’t be a fool, Page,” said Julia “I know what he meens, Yes, Mr. Grumley, it is a plant—e regular sell;—and without entering into any particulars, I must have you to know that I can insinuate myself when I choose into the company of the Mageman and his crew. I'm to be with them at midnight—or a little before: that is to say, if you think that by going amongst them I can do any good. If not, I shall of course stay away.” “ Let's hear a little more about the matter, ma’am, if you please,” observed the officer: then, withdraw- ing the pipe from his mouth and winking his right eye at Page, he added, “ You ought to be proud of your good lady, sir—for she’s a sharp 'un” a 16 1 | “Well, Iam proud of her,” said the ex-traveller, “ She has managed this matter capitally as far as it goesz, There'll be the Magaman, the Big Beggar- man, the Gallows’ Widow, Briggs, Ramesy, and Martin, all assembled together to-night at twelve o’clock—a precious good haul of fish for your net, Mr. Gramley.” “ And what are going to deliberate on?” in- quired the officer. on “The murder of Sir Richard Stamford,” said Salis Seemann aria pean, stich wea addressed to erse “Ab! a pleasant subject for discussion, no doubt,” observed Grumley, as he coolly and quietly knocked the ashes out of his pipe and began to refill it: “ but we'll see if we can’t put a stopper upon them. What are you to go back for, Mra. Page, at twelve o'clock 1” “Mr. Martin saw Sir Richard come to our house this afternoon ; and I am actually employed as a spy to find out whether he lives there, and if he does not, what kind of people do, Because, as Briggs hinted, comicloooks. conn