The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 157: what you’re looking at

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146 THE MYSTEBRIEG OF THE COURT. pursuing his career of crime ; and his many adven- tures of the last few months—his escapes, which he termed his “triumphs ”— together with the success which had hitherto attended the assump: tion of his disguises, had tended to embolden him to an almost reckless extent. His mind was there- fore made up: he would remain in London until the night at all events; and if the Duke acceded to his proposal, he would undertake the new ven- ture—or rather, we should the fearfully cor- rect perpetration of the one ahigi ginally confided to It by no means suited the B g disposition to remain in-doors all day af she public-house ; and moreover such a circumstance in a would look suspicious. He felt conyinced $ was disguised in a style impenetrable ta Mv ayes of the detectives; and thefe was a sort of tayilling pleasure in thus setting their keenness ef paugh He therefore issued forth ; Put speedily becomin wearied of wandering abonf, ie ee Le him of an expedient which promised some little amusg; ment, and which at the same time wauld ppable hi to sit down and rest for hourg on somp gapvenie ont | wh ‘How do you sell your pastilles, my good old man?” inquired the sexton of Woodbridge, fum- bling at the bottom of his pockete for a few half. nce. Tha Burker answered the question very cartly indeed, but imitating the Jewjsh accent as much as he could; for he had not forgotten the conver- gation he had overheard at the public: -house on the preceding night, when i¢ was stated that Jonathan Carnabie had been stru his “lingo” at the time he wag hoguling bin] with tales of his re- epectability. “Well, I'll buy 8 few pastilies,” said Jonathan: “for my landlady seems $9 Rp very fond of them —and as she is excnedingly ind and ivil, I must make her a lite present! The Burkeg received the capper ooins—gave the suitable number af pastilles— eing the old sexta me sne®, ho thas he Mould gt once take i But if was pot gn. qApathan pos- he inguiring a ende end ie thought io ~_ fe London, it wag his duty to pee yt sie i ter on ot ru P r figwly wever spot. The idea wasone whjgh had been suggested | tyiyial during his conversation with Jack Smedley” A the time he assumed the Jew’s drogs at thas individual's lodgings ;—pnd this idea was ta procurp a small tray and some pastilles. The grijoles w spredily purchased ; and behold, at about twa M k in the afternoon, the Burker settled himeelf pp the door- steps of ap empty house ip pnp of the therpugh- fares at the West End of town. While there stetioned, Berney the Purker re- flected upon many things—and anseen pthers, upon his most recent progeedings ip Foapert 9 Jack Smedley. “‘ Jack’s o nasty cowardly dog the Bur to himeelf; “or else he wouldn't ae, © played x ~ such a scampish trick as that,— g hold of ff ares aN be® erates cit 93 “Ebab 9 STE iy vi black chalk never heard of i epi: Charcoal me me growled the Burkey venting ¢ b bitter im eeation against the old p eb 4 eae anid nted Pi? Doth Old J ighe in- enter ec us di inguis efore bhin—said ia @ e y | tom ** Wall, at all events you = = e, erson a hivid ane wer my blunt and bolting off like s phot! But I way! —par when he has led out money with even with bim thoggh: [ precio mado the | you.” sccundrel disgorge, gg the aeyin’ sayin’ je Devertheleas, But the Burker youchsafed no Fespopse he is a dirty rascal; and if ho could pave his re- venge, he would be sung fe teke i fast enough. But one thing 3p certain: be wouldn’t go and give hisself up merely to have the pleasure of informing agin me; and it’s unkimmon sure that he couldn’t inform against me unless he did give hisself up. So all things considered, I don’t think there’s no harm to be afeerd on in that there quarter.” Mr. Barnes had arrived at this satisfactory con- clusion, when on raising his eyes, whom should he behold crossing the street and advancing towards him, but old Jonathan Carnabie? The sexton of Woodbridge did not look by any means the better for his debauch of the night but one previously : on the contrary, he was pale and ill, and seemed as if he had arisen from a bed of sickness. The act was that the atupefying drug used by the Burker, had produced a very injurious effect on the sexton. “ By jingo, I’m done for!” said the Burker to himself, as Jonathan advanced atraight towards him: “he'll twig me through this cussed black gaberdine and this thunderin’ grey beard—— But I’m a fool! Old Jonatban’s eyes isn’t half so sharp as the detective chaps’ wisual organs; and they can't see through me no more than if I was gne of them posteases. J’ll look as serious as if I'd just come out of the sinpygog.” Jonathan walked ied ae y: muttering sometheng aoe tallily between his Leoth “ He didn’t know me—be didn’t suspect nuffin !” thought the Burker chucklingly to himself. “The old rascal! I thought at one moment his eyes was a piercing like needles through this here gaber- dine and beard. Howsomever " At this moment the SBurker beheld the Duke of Marchmont advancing on foot along the street. His Grace had just come from assisting at the installation of Mrs. Oxenden in a splendidly furnished house which he had taken for her reception; and be was gratified on finding that such was her love of pleasure and af gold, ahe would be sure to keep ten thousand secrets relative to as many crimes, if it only suited her selfish purposes. Such was the impression he had formed of her during an bour’s conversation ; and he felt himeelf safe enough in that quarter. But was he so in other respects? His wife had faithfully reported the particulars and the issue of her interview with Indora; and therefore if he were satisfied in respect to Mrs. Oxenden, he was full of apprehensions in respect to the Oriental lady. , “She will forgive me all that I have done to- wards herself’ the Duke kept thinking within (CO GOnMIGOOOKS