The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 64: what you’re looking at

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NN eT TRE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 51 with onions and washed down with copious draughts of ale. The Hangman was dressed as we have already described him in a previouschapter. His shabby shooting jacket—his corduroy breeches — his leathern gaitere-——his lace-up bootsa—and his blue cotton neckerchief, all helped to complete the ruf- flanism of his appearance: while his ghastly countenance and giaring eves gave him s hideous and spectral air, reminding one of the gholes, or devourers of corpses, that so often figure in oriental tales. “ Well, you see I’m punctual,” hesaid, as John the footman entered the tap-room. “I’ve been here this quarter of aun hoer——” “ And I’m as punctual as [ could be, old fellow,” replied the servant. ‘But what news?” “Oh! all right,” was the response: and the Hangman glanced significantly towards the country bumpkin as much as to imply that they must not speak too openly and too plainly before a third party. “So it came off, then, last night?” said the livery-servant. ‘* 'Yos—right asa trivet," answered the Hang- man. ‘“‘ Just as you expected, Dan’el ?” ‘‘ Just as I expected.” : And the two exchanged looks of deep mean- ing The countryman, having by this time disposed of his meal and drained the pewter-pot, seated himeelf in the corner for a nap; and the Hang- wan proceeded to light his pipe—an example that was followed by the footman. “The young ladies all leave to-morrow,” ob- served the latter, after a pause: ‘‘ and missus will be slone in the house—that is, with me and the servant-gals.” “Ah! they leave to-morrow, do they ?” said the Hangman, as he paffed his pipe: but through the faint blae wreaths of smoke he exchanged another significant look with his companion. “ They take their departure to-morrow morp- ing,” continued the latter: then, glancing to- wards the countryman and perceiving that his eyes were shut, the footman drew a key from his pocket and showed it to the Hangman. “ Good!” muttered this individual, his counte- nance expressing great satisfaction. ‘I got from a rascal of a travelling tinker or knife-grinder,” said John, in a low tone, as he returned the key to his pocket. “The fellow is clever at his business ” Now thecountry bumpkin in the corner began to snore: and both the Hangman and the livery- ser- vantcontinued tosmokein silence forafew minutes. * He's fast asleep,” at length observed Daniel, in an under tone. ‘Fast as a church,” replied the footman. “ Come, hand me over my regulars, old felow— for I suppose you've got the golden boys about your precious person.” ‘‘ Here's ten guineas—and ten you've had in advance, makes up twenty for your regulars in last night's job,” said the Hangman,as he counted down the coin. “ Thank'ee. And so the thing went off as comfortable—eh ?" inquired the footman, and he dropt the ten guineas into his waistcoat pocket. ‘Nothing could be better. The Prince and the Marquis didn’t bluster or ride rusty a bit,” con- tinued the Hangman. “They submitted to cir- cumstances in a way very creditable to them- selves,” he added, with a low chuckling laugh : “and I'll stake my existence that they couldn't suspect where they were taken to. But wasn't it a rum lark altogether ?” “From what you told mo beforehand abont it, I should say it was,” returned the footman. “ Bue tell us all the particulars, Daniel.” — “* Not now—another time,” answered the Hang- man. “ We've got something else to talk abort at present. I suppose that fellow’s really asleep?” he added glancing towards the countryman ia the corner. “If he isn't, he shams snoring uncommon well,” replied John. “ But of course he is.” “ Well then, what about this little business over the way ?” asked the Hdnpgman. “ You say that all your young missusses are going off to- morrow—and youv'e got a duplicate key 2?” “Just so. It was the luckiest chance in the world that sent the knife-grinding fellow through Richmond to-day,” continued the footman: “for I was thinking at the moment how the devil I should manage it, when I heard the rascal baw!l- ing out all kinds of nonsense about locks to mend and keys to fit.” “ And you happened to have the key in your hand at the time, I suppose?” observed the Hangman. “Exactly so. You recollect, when I tirst hinted at the little affair,” proceeded John, “I told you. that every now and then there's a regular clean out of the great iron safe where the plate is kept —and while its beiug cleaned and counted up I have the key in my hands; but the moment the plate’s put back again, I have to give up the key to missus again. She keeps a devilish sharp look-out, I can tell you !” “So I suppose—with such a valuable lot of” plate in her possession,” observed the Hangman. “ Of course its all got the royal arms and so on upon it ?” “Every spoon, knife, fork, dish, salver, and pepper-box,” responded the’ footman. “By- jingo! Dan’el, won't there be work for old Jeremy's melting-pot ?” “I hope so,” rejoined the Hangman. “ And won't there be a precious rumpua, too, when it’s missed from the iron safe! Suppose the knffe- grinding fellow that made the key, should hear of it—don’t you think he'll come for'ard and give evidence in the matter ?” * T shouldn't have trusted him to make the key if I badn’t found ont beforeband that he was all right,” answered John. “Ah! didn't I pump him nicely? He let out that he was wanted in London for something queer that he'd done—and he’s off into the country as far away as he can go. I'm sure it's quite safe with him, in fact.” “Well, you're not a fool, John—and you wasn't born yesterday,” observed the Hangman: then, after a pauee he said, ‘ And now, when is it to be done ?” “Name your own time,” responded ‘the foot- man, “ But recollect that this job is betwixt you and me alone, and that nobody else is to have a finger in the pie. It will make our fortunes, Dan‘el.” Yes—it won't be a bad haul for our nets,” ob- served the Hangman, in a tone of satisfaction. “The worst of it is that we shall be s0 completely at old Jeremy's mercy. But this is a thing we must epee ¢ ~ | COMuicooOolkxs.conrn