The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 376: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Gossoon as well as the living ones had disap- peared. Remembering that there were two compartments to the deceased’s wallet, and that he had only ex- amined one, he now lifted it up. In the second compartment he found nothing but the means of striking a light. By this discovery he was how- ever gratified: for it enabled him to make a minute investigation of the cave. He was re- solved to establish this cavern as his abiding-place, with the hope that some kindly disposed Gossoon would sooner or later pass that way and guide him out of the jungle. He had seen enough to convince him that it was used as a halting. place for wanderers and wayfarers patsing through that frightful wilderness ; and he likewise fancied that it was the securest spot he could find in respect to wild beasts and reptiles. In thet jungle no place was altogether seoure ; for it was evident that even there a anake had stolen in and bitten the old Gos- soon, probably while he was sleeping. Still in a district where every spot was perilous, this cer- tainly appeared to be the least so of auy. Ab all events it was better to remain stationary there than to go floundering about amidst the pathless wilds where every step was taken at the risk of his life. Having made himself a torch of a resinous branch—holding it in one hand, and with a tole- rably stout stick in the other—the Burker entered the cave. It was only at the innermost extremity beyond the loophole, that it was quite dark : but now the torch illuminated it fully. He advanced cautiously, fearful lest at any moment a reptile should spring at him: he examined every crevice and corner ; and he was just on the point of turn- ing away with the conviction that the cavern was completely free from any insidious foe of the rep- tile species, when all of a sudden the light of his torch was reflected in two small gleaming objecte at the extremity of the cavern, about a foot from the ground, and just in front of him. They were the eyes of a reptile; and the blood ran cold in his veins. In a few moments the snake glided out from the hole where it was previously lurking : with a frightful hiss it raised itself up, and ex- panded its hood preparatory to taking the fatal epring—for it wasa cobra. That strong shadder on tbe Burker’s part was instantaneously followed by the complete recovery of all his presence of mind ; for he was rendered desperate by the sense of danger; and just at the very moment that the reptile was about to dart at him, he struck ita blow with his stick. The aim was well taken: the serpent writhed in agony=—bat another blow de- spatched it. Having thrown the snake forth from the cave, the Burker proceeded to examine it in every part with the closest possible scrutiny: but he disco- vered not another hole. He thrust his stick into the one whence the reptile had emerged: but there was no reason to imagine that there were any other snakes in the same ambush. He how- ever stopped up the hole ; and his examination be- ing over, he bethought himeelf of a means of pro- tecting the entrance of the cave from the insidious visits of such fearful guests for the future. Ho remembered that the houses on the outekirts of In- derabad had all gravel laid down at their doors ; and as the fellow was not wanting in ingenuity 865 nor keennegs, it occurred to him that so invariable a custom must have a specific object :—and what object could it be if not for the very one which he at all events now resolved to adopt as a cugges- tion ? It moreover seemed to him natural enough that the reptile species would not drag their bel- lies over substances that might cut, graze, or wound them. He therefore began to chip off and break up pieces of the granite blocks which lay strown about; and in this manner he occupied himself for the remainder of the day—taking good care however to be upon his guard against the in- sidious approach of that human reptile—the Strangler. Before the dusk began to close in, the Burker had covered a large space of ground in front of the cave with the little fragments of granite; and thus for a distance of about six yards in length and three in width was thie defence-work formed. Having reconstructed his barrier, he sat down ia the cavern to partake of his food; and his meal being finished, he found slamber stealing upon his eyes. Even before he was completely asleep—and while only cradled in the dreamy repose which precedes total slumber—the image of the Strangler kept rising into his mind; so that every now and then he was startled into complete wakefulness ; and then with the cold perspiration upon his brow he listened with suspended breath. Sometimes he almost fancied that he heard some one moving about in the vicinage of the cavern, or that his barricade of stones was being disturbed. Once or twice he imagined that he heard some one breath- ing quite near him inside the cave; and it was a long time before he could satisfy himeelf that all this was mere fancy. found slumber. He knew not how long it lasted: but he was wakened up with the horribly oppressing convic- tion of some imminent peril. Again he listened with saspended breath; and gradually upon his ear came the sound of a stone being removed from the mouth of the cavern. Still he listened,—his blood curdling in his veins. Yes—that sound was continued! Slowly and slowly was one of the granite blooks of his barrier being removed from its setting. By the glimmering light which pre- vailed outside, he could discern the gradual dis- appearance of the stone from the uppermost layer. He now know that an enemy was at work :—and what foe could this be unless the one of whose stealthy proceedings hoe had already received such rocf P , How should he act? Many minutes elapsed before, in the horror of his feelings, he could make up his mind. At longth he decided upon the course to be pursued. Taking it for granted it was the Strangler, he resolved to allow him to continue his work, and then ascertain in what manner bis in- sidiously hostile demonstration was to be made. Perhaps he intended to form a sufficient eperture to introduce his person into the cavern, under the impression that the Burker slept; and if this were the case, the Englishman knew that he should be enabled to seize his enemy at a disadvantage and grapple with him successfully. He therefore pre- tended tosleep, while in reality continuing to keep a keen watch; and one after another he beheld four or five stones removed from their setting. Hoe was ready at any instant to spring up and a GOnNGIOOKSHeOn At length he fell into a pro- -