The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

a THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. 49 — eS _€e0 0 ane lective, looking significantly at the goldbeater’s wife, who was pale with terror. “It is enough to startle anybody,” she ob- served, once more by a mighty effort recovering her self. ion. “It’s the presence of you strangers that frightens tho poorcreature, As for the trap-door here, it only covers a well———” “With steps to it,” said the detective, with an Ironical smile. “Yes—with steps down toa certain distance: they are all broken at the bottom—and if you don’t mind ” “You think we shall be drowned? It’s a very eurious earthy smell for water to send up; and what’s more,” added the detective, holding the candle over the opening, “ I can’t catch the refleo- tion of any water at all.” Bab felt convinced it was all up with the Barker; and she inwardly trembled on account of hereolf; for her arrest must necessarily follow, if No. 69.—yOURTH SERIES. only for the reason that she was harbouring a criminal on whose head a reward was set. She thought of escape: but how could she effect it? There was a man in the passage up-stairs; and sho had been told that the back part of tho pre- mises was watched by other officers. “ Now, Tom, hold the light,” said the tall detec- tive; “anc keep an eye——” He did not finish the sentence—but nodded sig- nifcantly; and his sedate, quiet-looking, but not the less resolute subordinate comprehended that the allusion bore reference to Mrs. Smedley. Drawing forth a pair of pistols, the detective be- gan to descend the stone steps of the subterranean —while his man held the candle conveniently at the mouth: and the former said in a stern deci- sive tone, “ Now, Mr. Smedley, we know you are here! ‘You had better surrender yourself; for if you attempt any resistance, you will perhaps got a bullet through the head.” — oe comicibooks.conm