The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 253: what you’re looking at

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

243 “ Murderer!” echoed the Viscount Delorme. “Impossible! What madness is this ?— what terrible mistake has been committed? Stop !”— aod the young nobleman, violently excited, rushed forward to detain the gendarmese gs they were moving away with their prisoner. “Viscount!” exclaimed Meredith, “ your gene- rous confidence has been villanously betrayed. You know not the plot from which you have escaped. Look at that miscreant!—his whole de. meanour bears evidence to his guilt! Away with him !” The police-officers hurried the false Baron—now utterly discomfited, and quivering with terror-— from the apartment: but the utmost excitement prevailed amongst those who were left behind in that room, Clarine had sunk down with a subdued shriek of horror upon the sofa, when the lips of Octavian proclaimed De Margaux to be a murderer: but Zoe was at hand to sustain and minister to her friend. The notary’s wife, with a groan expressive of the fearful sensation produced upon herself, clung to her hushand; and he stared in horrified consternation upon the false Baron as he was bein burried out of the apartment. Octavian caugh the Viscount Delorme by the arm, and hurried! gave him a few words of explanation, to whicd that young nobleman listened with feelings that can be better imagined than described. Immense wae the sensation which prevailed throughout the int, and which speedily spread through the vil- lage, when it was known thet the leader of the gang which had perpetrated the digbolic crime of the preceding evening had been discovered and taken into custody. When some degree of calmness wag restored in the room where the arrest was accomplished, Lord Octavian Mereiith proceeded to give certain ex- planations. He stated how hia suspicious bad been excited at Damo uetie’s hut, and how he was on the point of making ay endeavour te steal forth thence when his purpose was frustrated by the arrival of the band fn the vieinage of the little dwelling. He then went on to explain how the chief of the gang, having dismissed the rest, entered the but, and passing the light before bis eyes, had been beguiles into the betief that he was asleep. p “ But instead of sleeping,” continued Lord Oe. tavian, “I listened to the discourse which ensued between the chief of the gang and Dame Roquettea ITecould not succeed in overhearing all that was said: but in the first instance I was surprised to find that the leader of that gang of wiscreants was speaking in language the most grammatically acou- rate, and in a tone whieh appeared to denote the polished gentleman, instead of the lew brutal ruf- fian. Having made some comments pon the awful work which had just bean accomplished, the leader went on to explain to Dame Roquette the business which he had in hand for the morrow— namely, for this day. There was talk of an am- bush to be laid and the mustering of the gang at some given point in the fopest, in order that a grand blow might be struck boldly and success- fully: for the chief expressed his conviction that there would be more than one equipage, and there- fore many people to deal with. Then for some minutes he spoke in a lower tone so that I could THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. not catch what he said: but presently, to my eur. prise and consternation, [ heard him mention the names of M. Volney and his daughter. Ah! you may suppose that I was indeed startled on hearing those names: for I knew them to ba those of the kind friends beneath whose roof my own wife Was sojourning.” “The miscreant!” exclaimed the Viscount De- lorme. “ And to think that I should have for some years considered that man to be amongst my beet friends! But proceed, my lord :—we are impatient for your explanations.” “ After that low whispering,” continued Octa. vian, “the leader of the murderous gang went on speaking to Dame Roquette in a somewhat more audible tone; and then goxr name, Viscount, was mentioned. I gathered that you were the accepted suitor of M. Volney’s daughter—that the bridal was to take place to-day—that after the ceremony you were to set out on your way towards Fontainebleau—and that you woulil pass through this forest. I likewise learnt that by some means or another the miscreant chief had ascertained that you would most probably have a very large sum of money in your possession, and that the wedding- nts of the bride were to be of a most costly description, Then the leader’s voice again grew indistinct; and all I could succeed in ascertaining of this portion of his discourse, was that he himself would be upon the road—but whether in your com- pany or not, I could not rightly understand. He however gave Dame Roquette instructions relative to the part which she would have to perform. One of his gang—a man bearing the name of Moulin— was to be likewise upon the road, and even I believe to penetrate into the neighbourhood of the Chateau iteelf—at ell events to find an opportanity to hold communication with his chief and receive the orders which circumstances might render ne- eeseary. It is evident that the villanous leader was at that time only partially acquainted with your plans; and he knew not precisely when you would pass through the forest. For precaution's sake he did not desire his gang to muster too soon; and therefore the object of this Moulin’s meeting him along the line of route, was to receive the instructions as to the hour of assemblage. I¢ was then to be Dame Roquette’s duty to carry round the final order to the separate ghodes of the indi- viduals of the band; and thys, you perceive, no precaution was omitted by the fiendlike author of bhe plot in order to ensure its fullest success. Bat I must observe that throughout this discourse which took place between himself and Dame Ro- quoette, I did not once hear her address him by any name; nor was there a cranny in the door through which I might perp to obtain a glimpse of his countenance. Twice did he eome into the little room which had been allotted to me: twice did he pase the lantern before my eyes to assure himeelf that I slept: but on neither oceasion dared I raise my eyelids even eo much as a bair’s breadth, for fear the misateant should perceive that I really slept not; and as I knew that he was armed to the teeth, while I was altogether weaponless, I was completely at his merey. Thus you will under- stand that the chief went forth from the cottege without my having succeeded in obtaining the alightest idea of his personal appearance.” “16 was a night of horror which you passed!" ar a ae EO loo (CO