The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 221: what you’re looking at

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ace tea a a a arr mnmmnaaaal i EE annie te ee ee ee en eine 210 discourse, and fancying that it was a prelude to de- manding some pecuniary favour at his hands. “Don’t be afraid, Chiffin,” she replied, having read what was passing in his mind. “ You know that I am not one who asks favours of that sort: or if you don’t know it, you ought to do so—for you THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “ Meet who ?—Lady Bess ?” exclaimed Chiflia, as if utterly unsuspicious. | “ No—Madge Somers.” “Ah! she’s been then? What news? Why the deuce didn’t she wait?” “ She couldn't: she had summut particular to do. and I have been acquainted long enough. What I | Besides, she had on’y a word to say.” was going to say is, why don’t you settle down into some quiet kind of life—take a public or a shop, for instance—or even set up a lodging-house ?” “No, no—a public is the thing fer me,” answered Chiffin; “a good “ And what’s that?” asked Chiflin. ‘“ Anything Pp “Pp well,” rejoined the Blue-ruin Carrier. “ Madge says that it will all be right in the course boosing-ken in some precious | of to-morrow; and she'll be down here by nine in queer neighbourhood. I should be in my glory | the evening at the latest, when she is certain sure there; and to tell you the truth, Madge, I have | of having good news to tell yer. She says you may been thinking of summut of that kind. Now that | make yourself quite easy on that score.” this cursed affair of the detectives is over, I shall look about me. But I say, wasn’t it rather queer | “ Perdition take it!” growled Chiffin, affecting to bein arage. “Somehow or another I fancy that of those Tugs people to tell you such a precious lie? | Madge is humbugging me. Which way did she I can’t think what could be the meaning of it.” “ Evidently to prevent me from waiting to see you,” replied Madge. “You had therefore better : goP Ihave a deuced good mind to cut after her.” “T didn’t see which way she went,” answered Tugs. ‘Besides, she’s been gone more than a take care of them: there’s some treachery lurking quarter of an hour; and so you couldn’t possibly in that quarter.” overtake her, even if you knowed which way she “Well now,” observed Chiffin in a musing tons, | did go.” “T thought them Tugs was the honestest people to- “Come, Mr. Chiffin,” said Mrs. Tugs, looking as wards thoir pals that ever was. Of course I didn’t | amiable as she could through the grimy mask upon tell them I had anything in the shape of blunt about | her face, “you had better make up your mind me, for fear they should get on the borrowing plan; ; to rest patient and be comfortable till to-morrow and one couldn’t very well refuse what they asked | evening. It isn’t wery long to wait; and from after all their kindness. But there’s something | what Madge said, it’s certain sure you'll hear good that isn’t right in that quarter. I don’t like this | news then.” affair of their stalling you off from seeing me: it; “ Well, I suppose I must,” returned the Cannibal looks precious suspicious.” with the air of one who resigns himself to « tem- ' Well,” returned Madge, “you have no need | porary di intment. to go back to the barge again unless you like.” “Take another giase of the lush,” said the Bluc- “ Yes—but I have though,” replied Chiffin: “for | ruin Carrier, as he passed the bottle. “It's a to tell you the truth-—But no matter! I must famous thing to make chaps happy and contented.” back as quick as ever I can. Good night, Madge— and thank you for what you have done.” The woman and the Cannibal then separated, and “With all my heart,” responded Chiffin: and having tossed off the liquor, he lighted his pipe. The conversation progressed upon indifferent sub- the latter sped along in the direction of the | jecta; and while joming in it with seeming uncon- barge. He had indeed good reason for returning cern, the Cannibal revolved in his mind the course thither; inasmuch as he had left his great loose | that he should adopt. That Tugs and his wife shaggy over-coat in the little nook or recess that , meant treachery was evident enough: their conduct formed his place of concealment; and in that self- in respect to Madge Somers proved this. That they samo coat he had got a quantity of bank-notes ' had not discovered the bank-notes in his coat, he sewn inside the lining. But as he went back to the | felt assured; because if so, and if they had self. barge, he felt in his breeches’ pockets to see that his pistols were safe, muttering to himself the while, “If these Tugs mean treachery, I’m blowed if I don’t make them both sleep até the bottom of the canal before daylight—and their babby along with "em for that matter.” Resuming however his wonted look, which with all his endeavour to give it a good-humoured aspect, was still of the most hang-dog and sinister cha- racter, he reached the boat and gave a peculiar whistle. thrust above the hatchway—the assurance that all was right came from that individual’s lips—and Chiffin descended into the cabin. He cast a quick but keenly-searching glance upon Tugs and his wife; but nothing in their looks betrayed any treacherous purpose. Chiffin was not however the man to be thrown off his guard by this seeming equanimity on their part. “ How unfortanate you should have gone out just at the moment,” exclaimed Tugs. “ But per- haps you had the good luck to meet her P” ee an « « —_—_ oe = Gre The head of Tugs was soon perceived appropriated them, there would be no need of that stratagem to kcep him still in the barge. He there- fore argued that they supposed him to have money concealed about his person, and meant to murder him to obtain it. He had his pistols in his pockets, and they were loaded: he had a great mind to pro- duce them suddenly and shoot both the man and woman at once; but there was the chance of the report being heard by individuals who might be pass- ing along the towing-path, or up in the houses over- hanging the canal. Then he thought of suddenly fell- ing the Blue-ruin Carrier with his club, and at once turning round to despatch the wife. But if the first blow should fail in ita effect, a desperate strug- gle might take place: for he knew that the woman was a determined one—while Tugs himself was a man of great muscular power — and therefore the result of such struggle might prove fatal to him- salt. His chief object was, as a matter of course, to recover possession of his coat: but if he went into the little crib to obtain it, he felt assured that he should be immediately attacked from be. ECOMRRICLO© (C —— ee gee 6 eee 0 SO were ee, . Seem, oe SS CO