The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

ve THE BIYSTERIES OF TRE COURT 185 — — _ a A4GATHA AND EMMA OWEN, hastened up-staira, Taggarty shutting the door be- hind them. He then proceeded to open the shop- door; and the rays of the candle which he held in his hand, fell full upon the countenance of Mr. Larry Sampson. The first and moet natural thought which instan- taneously flashed to the mind of Taggarty, was that the Bow Street Officer had traced the Hangman thither and was come to arreet him; and the chandler’s looks accordingly grew troubled, for he felt that he was suddenly involved in no small danger for harbouring the delinquent. “Good evening, Mr. Taggarty,” said Sampson, in his usual quiet manner, and not appearing to notice the confusion of the chandler. “I want to have a little conversation with you if you are disengaged.” “With me, sirt” exclaimed Taggarty, flinging a rapid glance into the street and experiencing some relief on observing that the officer was apparently slone, =- all events had not a posse of constables a. at hisback. “With me, sir?’ he repeated, in a less incoherent manner. . * Yoe—upon no professional business, however,” replied Larry, emphatically: for he failed not to observe that his presence was very far from welcome. “Walk in, sir—walk in,” said Taggarty, endea- vouring to look as composed and unconcerned as possible: and, having shut and bolted the door again. he conducted the officer into his litue parlour. “ Pray ait down, Mr. Sampeon—let me take your hat—there, make yourself at home, sir. And now, shall it be gin, ram, or brandy t” : “Neither, thank you, Mr. Taggarty,” was the response. “I hope I am not intruding upon you at this moment: but you appear to be all alone.” “Ob! yes—quite alone, Mr.Sampson,” replied the chandler—but with just a sufficiency of lingering uneasiness to throw some doubt upon the assertion ; and as he glanced mechanically towarda the door of the staircase, Sampson at once perceived the! comliclbooks.com —— wil