The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

23 anxiety, and annoyance which she must have saf- fered.” But Rose heard him not: for,. a0 overeome was pre- that Mza Brace was compelled to lead her out of the Court into that private reem where their former interview of this memorable day had taken “Silence!” exclaimed the usher, the moment the door had closed bebind the orphan girl and the milliner. Arthur Eaton, who had been about te address the te when this summons was made, folded. his arms and remained silent ; but the air of conscious innecence which he wore was interpreted by the spectators as the hardihood of a desperate criminality aided by a consummate hypocrisy. “TI must now recapitulate,” said the “certain points in the evidence which has been ad- duced in this case. In the first instance, Mr. Eaton declared that at the moment when Dudley feil, he rushed forward and caught a glimpse of a lady in black darting into a passage opposite. Now this was & passage running due north; and it was completely on the southern side of the building that Miss Foster was immediately afterwards captured. The next fact which I must notice is that the deceased was evidently murdered by means of a knife belonging to himself, and of which no stranger was likely to obtain possession. But then comes a still raore grave, important, and serious circumstance: for the very biade which belonged to this knife and which was broken off, is found in Mr. Katen’s apartment. With such evidence before me, I have only one course to adopt—which is to declare that you, Arthur Eaton, do stand committed to his Majesty’s prison of Newgate to take your trial at the ensuing Sessions, on the charge of murder.” “TI can only say to your worship,” spoke Eaton, in a firm and resolute voite, “that I am innocent of this foul deed which is imputed to me,—as innoesnt as [ new firmly believe that young girl to be whom you have just discharged from the dock. That a tremendous mass of circumstantial evidence has ac- cuinulated against me, I readily admit: but there is a key to the reading of this terrible mystery—a clus to the unravelling of this skein of incidents, at pre- sent se tangled and so complicated. That is however ay eceret for the present: useless and unavailing were it to enter upon any explanations at this moment orin this place. No—for a mere solemn occasion and a higher tribunal shall be reserved a narrative the details of which will cause every heart to thrill with horror throughout the land, and turn into sympathy and commiseration the loathing and abhorrence which in the meantime may attaeh unto mea I have now no more to say: your worship has resolved upoa committing me for trial—and I am forced to bow te that decision.” Having thus spoken in a firm and manly tone, the Hon. Arthur Eaton resigned himself to the constablea who stood ready to lead him away from the Police- Office; and‘as.he traversed the crowd which opened to afford him and the officers room to pasa, he was as- tenished to perceive that those looks which had so secently surveyed him with horrorand aversion, now contenspiated him with a moaraful interest and a sorrowful compassion. Tan wretsnras. he thought withia himeslf: and, his eyes filling witt tears, he threw glances of mute but eloquent gratitude around him. “Poor fellow! whispered ome individual ta an- “'Yes—it ie as you say,” was the responses given oy ihe person thus addressed. “ He ts deeidedly “ A monomaniac-——~”" “ And his mania is surder !” These remarks, rapidly exchanged in a lew tone, were by no means intended te be everheard by the Hoo. Arthur Eaton: they nevertheless met his ears —and striking with an almost overwhelming violence upon his brain, they predaced a shock which made him reel and stagger as if he were about to fall. But the constables sustained him with their vigorous arms: and as they hurried him out of the Office, the last words that fell upon his ears were—* Poor fellow! he is a menoemaniac!" ana CHAPTER CXXVIL THE PRIVATE ROOM AT THE POLICE-OFTICE. Iv was come short time befere Ress Foster could so far recover her mental composure as to say to hen. | eelf, “I mugt now think of what course I ought to adopt!” But when she did thus speak with the | silent voice of her own soul, she threw her eyes with an instinctive shaddering upon Mrs. Brace, who was sented alone with her in the private room adjoining the public Office. For the young orphan was suddenly reminded by all the reminiscences which swept through her brain that she was more or less indebted to the milliner for the speedy acquittal whieh had been brought about ; and she trembled lest Mrs. Brace, forgetful of the promises made when they were previously alene to- gether in that room, should propose to take her back again home to Pall Mall! Mrs. Brace perceived the half-terrified, half-ap- pealing look which the orphan had thrown upon her; and she was about to answer in words that glance whioh spoke so eloquently in its mute significances, whea the door opened and Mr. Gramiey entered the room. “ Well, ma'am,” he exclaimed, in a hoarse bassoon voice, “the young lady has got off, you sen Miss Foster,” he continued, “I congratalate yer on the result.” “I thank you most cordially for ali the sympathy ° you have shown and the assistance you have afforded me,” said Rose in a tone of fervent gratitude. “ But what has been decided in respect to Mz. Eaton ?” “Committed for trial,” responded Gramley, in a laconic manner. “ And is it possible that he can be guilty f° ox- claimed Rose. “Can't say,” returned the wary constable. “ Don’t weutur’ an opinion, Miss, when things seams eo wery orkard. You're safe out on it—and that’s enough for the present.” Rose was about to make some additional remark when a kuock was heard at the door; and Mr. Grum- ley hastened to answered the summons. “A gentleman wants to speak to Miss Foster,” said Mobbs, who appeared in the passage outside. — ES Es wee en gee 0 ES ee ED ot GEE ES S EE, a EP UE, ei ae Ga © aac et te rac a a | “They are already eonvinced ef my innocence, “A gentleman—to speak to me" exclaimed the (COU (C DOO (CO