The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

8S THE MYSTERIES —that she had lost her way—but that if any one would conduct her to a respectable lodging for the rest of the night, she was in a condition to pay liberally for the kindness showa and the accommo- dation furnished. As a proof of this portion of her statement, and being inspired with confidence in Nell Gibson, the young lady exhibited her purse, which was evidently well filled. The art- lessness of the tale and the sight of the purse were sufficient to induce the profligate woman to take the young lady under her immediate “ protection :” and as Béncull’s dark crib was the nearest of the kind, she at once conducted her intended vic- tim thither. Overcome by fatigue of body and distress of mind, the young lady was too glad to welcome any place in the shape of a lodging and anything in the guise of sympathy, to pay very particular attention either to the locality to which she was conducted, or to the person who was con- ducting her thither: she therefore readily believed that her new friegd was really a respectable young woman though in humble circumstances, and that the house was an honest one althongh in a poor neighbourhood. The front room, into which the young lady had been shown, was a bed-chamber, although upon the ground-floor; and it was titted up ia a maaner infinitely superior to the other parts of the house. It was indeed the room to which persons were assigned when enticed to the crib by any of the foose females connected with the gang: and there- fore, for obvious reasons, it was tolerably well furnished. Thus every circumstance combined to lull the young lady into a false security and alle- viate any suspicions that the aspect of the neigh- bourhood might otherwise chance to arouse in her mind. Weshould however observe that the moon had disappeared some time before she encountered Nell Gibson; and consequently, as she threaded Mill Street in her way to the dark crib, the full harror of Jacob’s Island was veiled from her view. Having told her tale to Bencull and his guests in the little back room, Nell Gibson returned to the chamber occupied by the young lady. The other female whom the landlord sent thither, had played her part safficiently well, so that the young lady still believed she was in respectable quarters. This female now retired upon the re- appearance of Nell, who inquired if her guest would take any refreshment. But the young lady was so exhausted that she only thought of lying down to rest; and she was even too much fatigued to put off her apparel. She would do no more than lay aside her bonnet and shawl—not because she entertained any misgivings, but in reality because she was drooping and sinking with utter prostration. It did not however escape Ncll’s notice that the con- fiding young creature was possessed of a handsome watch and chain, and several other articles of jewellery, in addition to her purse; and she already chuckled inwardly at the rich prize that had fallen into her hands. In afew moments the young lady threw herself upon the bed; and Nell Gibson, wishing her a sound repose, quitted the chamber—leaving how- ever the ‘candle behind her, for fear of exciting any premature suspiciva. On returniug to the back room, she communi- eated to the persons there assembled the pleasing OF THE COURT. fact of the valuable jewellery possessed by tne young lady; and a council of war was now held, m a subdued tone, relative to the most fitting course that was to be adopted towards the guest. “Let Nell speak first,” said the Hangman, “ and give her opinion—as she has had the trouble and shown the tact in getting the girl here.” “J scarce know what to advise,” observed the young woman, after a few minutes’ consideration “J think, now that I ’ve seen more of her, that she's too innocent to break in all on a sudden: and if we attempt to keep her here by force, she'll alarm the whole neighbourhood with her cries and screama. At the same time, I’m resolved that we will have the purse and the jewels, happen what will. It would be downright madness to let them slip through our fia- gere. I can say no more.” “But you have your secret thoughts, though, Neil,* observed the woman who had been into the young lady’s chamber: “and I can read 'em,” she added with dark and ominous significancy. “ And so can I,” observed the Buttoner. “I know what I'd do in such a case.” * What tf” demanded the Hangman, looking at him with the fixity of a diabolical expression of countenance. “ Why—this,” responded the thimble-rigger, draw- ing his hand across his throat. “Or else thu,” he added, making a gesture with his arm as if he were knocking a person on the head with a bludgeon. The knife-grinder started—nay, almost bounded —on his chair; end all eyes were instantaneously turned inquiringly, and even suspiciously, upon him. “That’s precisely what I'd do also,” he observed in a deliberate manner and meeting the looks of his companions with a steady gaze: and at the same time he settled himself in his chair, so that the gud- denness of his start seemed only to have been one of those abrupt movements which often accompany a change from one posture to another. . “ What would you do, d’ye say ?” demanded the Hangman, as if determined to make him express in words the thoughts so darkly hinted at. “ Why, sooner than lose the swag I should be for making away with her, to be sure,” answered Tibby, in a resolute voice: “and what’s more, if you're afraid to do it——"” “You will ?” said the Hangman, in a hasty tone of inquiry. “'Yes—I will,” returned the knife-grinder. “Then tip us your hand, old fellow,” said Coffin. “J did you a moment's injustice—I thought you started strangely——”* | “Oh! not I,” observed Tibby Blades, carelessly : “unless it was that I felt rayther disgusted to think you should all go beating about the bush to get at an idea which all along was uppermost in everybody's thoughts.” “It was in mine,” said Nel] Gibson, resolutely. “You knew it was the only plan—didn't you ” demanded the Buttoner. - “To be sure I did,” was the girl's answer. “The young lady is innocent and unsuspecting— and I couldn’t break her in under a week, perhaps amonth. In the mean time, who is to keep watch upon her, night and day, to see she doesn't escape? —and wouldn't her screams and cries soon talked about all over the neighbourhood? On the other hand, if we rob her and let her go quietly away in the morning, she will of Course lodge an CONNEC MOO SS COMM