The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 47: what you’re looking at

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seas eae, &2 der me the more efiectually a prisoner beneath her roof, What course, then, did I adopt? I resolved to fly stealthily ;—and hence the removal of the lock from the door of my bed-chamber—hence my visit to the parlour in order to break open the cupboard where the midwife had concealed my clothes! The rest can be imagined: for you may easily conceive my horror and alarm when, on entering the parlour, I beheld the ghastly scene which made me fly away with all the speed, trepidation, and anguish of a guilty persou.” Caroline Walters paused for a few moments; and the deep silence which reigned in the Court re- mained unoroken. “ But I have declared that I am innocent—and I can prove the truth of my averment!” she suddenly exclaimed, the strong emphasis of her words and the abruptness of her manner producing a strange excitement thronghout the audience. “ Yes—give me the opportunity—and I will undertake to prove my innocence within an hour !” “And what opportunity do you require?” asked the magistrate. “JT demand permission to visit the house where the murder was committed,” returned Caroline; “and to the constable who may take charge of me thither, will 1 show such unmistakable evidences that the deed must have been committed. by another, that your worship will order me to be discharged at once.” “Can younot sufficiently instruct a constable that he may proceed to the house and obtain the testimony to which you allude?” asked the magistrate. “No, your worship,” replied the young girl, in a resolute tone: “it is absolutely neceasary that I should go thither myself” The magistrate appeared puzzled; and he con- sulted in whispers with his clerk for a few mingutes At length 5s turned towards the head constable, saying alz:s, “ Well, Mr. Gruuwley, what do you think of thiy singular application op the part of the prisoner 2” “It isn’t for me to express an vpinion in your wership’s presence,” responded the constable, in a deferential manner : “ but if your worship chooses to order a remand until to-morrow morning, I shan’t offer no sort of objecnon.” “ And in the meantime you will take the young woman to the house in Fore Street {” said the magis- trate, in a tone of half-inquiry and half-command. “ Your worship’s instructions shall be attended to,” answered Grumiley, dexterously throwing upon the magistrate all the responsibility of the proposed step, though actually encouraging it by his observations. “Then let the case stand remanded until to-mor- row at eleven o'clock,” exclaimed the magistrate, “Clear the Court!” bawled the usher ;—and while the spectators poured out of one door, Caroline Waltera «as conducted through another by Grum- ley and Movbs into an adjacent room, where refresh- ments were set before her. “You have played your part uncommon well, young Miss,” said Grumley; “although you did do a jittle more in the palavering line than I had recommended. But howsomever, we've gained our pint—and that’s the principal. It’s now six o'clock,” he added, after consulung the huge silver watch which he drew fron his fob. “ Lord how time does siip away iu thea: Courts, to be sure! But we'll Ee as OE” ~ws oe oy a ME MYSTER(ZS. stay here until sbont half-past eight—under pretence of letting the crowd disperse aforehand: and then we'll slip quietly off, all three of us, to Fore Street. I say, Mobba old feller—what time is the boat to be in readiness t” “At s quarter to nine pftnctiwal,” was the res 6. “The boat ?” exclaimed Caroline Walters. “Is that intended for my escape? If so, whither do you mean to send me?” she demanded, a vague terror coming over her, “Don’t be alarmed, Miss,” said Gramley, in s reassuring tone. “ A boat certainly enters into our plans as a item of the arrangements: but it will be at your orders, to land you where you like. And now don’t ask no more questions at present—but eat some grab and make your mindeasy. Come, Mobba, you and me will just tool a pipe and dip our beaks into this here jug of his worship’s ale, until it’s time to be jogging.” The two constables accordingly seated them- selves near the fire which burnt in the grate; and while they smoked their pipes, Caroline Walters fell into a deep reverie upon the past, the present, and the future. CHAPTER CXXX. THE REVISIT TO THE MIDWIFES HOUSE. Ir was just as the clock at the Archbishop's palace in Lambeth was chiming half-past eight, that Mr. Peter Grumley and his man Mobbs led Caroline Walters forth fram the back door of the Iagistrate’s dwelling. — The young girl had neither bonnet nor shawl— for those who had hurried her off to prison so peremptorily on the night of the murder, had not manifested the consideration or the forethought to provide her with any additiona: garment to her own clothing ;—and thus she had nothing bat her or- dinary apparel to protect her against the night- air. Neither Grumley nor Mobbs now took any notice of this circumstance until they had pro- ceeded some short distance from the dwelling of the justice of the peace: aud then, suddeuly per- ceiving that the young girl was shivering with the cold and that ber teeth were chattering violently, as she walked between himself and his compa- uion, Grumley exclaimed, “ By goles: this is too bad—the poor creatur’ is weil nigh starved [”’ “ Why didn’t she eat the bread and cheese that his worship ordered to be given her?” growled Mobbs—for Caroline had refused to partuke of any refreshment at the magistrate’s abode. “I don’t mean that kind of starwation, you cussed fool,” exclaimed Mr. Grumley. “1 mean she’s starved with cold.” “Oh! never mind—never mind,” said the young girl, crossing her arms over her bosom. “We shall soon be there—and then I can procure some warmer apparel —” “Well, come along, then,” observed Gruumley, quickening his pace: and making Caroline take his arm, he led her along at a rate which soon imparted a healthier circulation to her blood. in ten minutes they reached Fore Street; an the door of the well kaown house was opened b, ite ee ae See ee C) (COU ( DOO (CO