The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 243: what you’re looking at

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faggots there, and thauks for the accommodation. | 3 But you ere sure——” He was about to ask whether the crone was con- fident that the robbers were not likely to revisit ber |1 cottage: he however checked himself, as it struck THR MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. possibly tell what the lawless ruffians might do— | hea unless indeed she were an accomplice of their's, which however he no Jonger suspected. turbed that night: the patchwork spread neatly and smoothly over the bedding ; the bolster, covered with the sheet of coarse un- hovel in ,France, bore not the impression of a | jd human head having reposed there. . The dame therefore had evidently told a false- hood—and a most unnecessary ane if she were honest. Again too arose in Octavian’s mind the thought that the hut wag too far from the road for any sounds occurring in the one place to be heard at the other—egpecially by an cld crone whose age forbade the belief that her sense of hearing was any of the keenest. And then too, even if she did hear the sounds, how could she possibly mistake them for the upsetting of a vehicle, when the loudest of the noises waa the re- port of the firearms? All pointe considered, Meredith felt convinced that there was something wrong about the woman—perhaps even the very worst: namely, that she might be an apcomplice of the brutal brigand murderers. What course should he pursueP If he were suddenly to pounce upon her and acouse her of treachery, her cries might bring the ruffians to her succour, and to the accomplishment of his own ‘ destruction: for who could tell how close they might be in the vicinage of the hovel? But if on the other hand he were to endeavour to steal forth, she might hear him, and a similar result would ensue. Again, he thought to himself that if he lingered there the villains might come to the place—it might be their rendesvous—and they would perhaps despatch him for fear lest the in- formation he might give sbould lead to their de- tection. All things considered, Octavian resolved to seize upon the old woman, and by threats of wreaking a prompt upon her, make her confess whatscever he might be enabled to extort. But scarcely had he come to this deter- mination, when his ear caught the sounds of foot- atepe approaching the cottage. Tt will be deemed no derogation to his natural bravery if we admit that Meredith was for a mo- ment seized with a mortal terror, as the hideous EE, gp ns — ice which gang to disperse, say in a low tone, “Do you really think he is asleep ?”” “T believe so,” replied Dame Roquette; “ for he looked dreadfully tired, as well as completely Good {rejoined the : ) “ !” rejoi man. “If he sleeps there is no use in doing him a mischief, as he has i be robbed of. But we shall suddenly made up what course to adopt. He perceived that there was no intention to commit an neces whe bad coatead behind, es wise that the man who remained behind, and who appeared to be the chief of the gang, was going to confer with Dame Roquette; and he saw that if it were possible to hear their discourse he might not only ascertain what the contemplated business was for the morrow, but likewise glean enough to enable the police authorities to make a capture of the whole gang. CHAPTER CXXX. OCTAVIAN AND SOR. Lorp Octavian Mzxxpiru knew perfectly well that circumstances were now compelling him to play a very perilous game: but all his fortitude and self-posseasion were at his command, especially as he believed and hoped there was now only one male ruffian to deal with in case of emergency. He deposited himself upon the straw, assuming the attitude of one who slept; be composed his features in a suitable manner—he: breathed as if he were indeed an unconecious slumberer. He heard the old woman and her ruffian com- panivn steal into the hut: the outer door was thea COMME HOG (CO