The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

=- —_<—= | interrupted the Beggarman. “ But we must see the must cross in a boat—but, luckily, we have a wherry 112 : THE MYSTERIES. baronet must either be yot out of the way, or put | of our own—and therefore we sha’n’t have to go far out of the way,” returned the “ Well | to find a means of getting over the river. You will —it is for you to decide how the thing is to be: | go with us, Poll,” said the villain, darting a signifi- and then name the recompense you are prepared | cant look on his daughter. to give.” “Me, father?” she ejaculated, in a tone of un- Ramsey turned ghastly pale :—the next moment | feigned surprise. a crimson hue spread over his countenance;—his| “ Yes—you,” returned the Big Beggarman. “ Sup- eyes glared with a lurid light—and his lips quivered, | pose that me and the Magsman sets off at once for He looked at the Beggarman, who was cool and} Aylesbury with this genelman, there'll be some collected : he then glanced at the red-haired young | orders to give you about a many little things to do woman, whose features were likewise calm and im- } in our absence.” passable. This survey appeared to give him} And, as he thus spoke, he kicked his daughter’s courage—that ruffian-like courage with which the | foot gently under the table. gentleman-villain is compelled to fortify himself in| “Very well, father,” she observed. “JI shall be order to induce his lips to frame the words which | ready in a few minutes.” shall express the horrible designs that have already | “Stay—I must put on my rough coat and hat,” said been well digested in his secret thoughts. the Beggarman. “ Beg your pardon, cir, for leaving “ Now, then, sir—what is itto be?”” demanded the | you for a moment,” he continued, addressing himself to Ramsay: “but sha’n’t keep you waiting long. “You needn't fear to speak candidly to us,” ob- | May be you'll take a glass of somethink short to ex- served Carrotty Poll, encouragingly. pei the cold ?” . “In course not,” added her father. “We ain’t/ “Nothing, I thank you,” responded Ramaey. partickler—so long as the blunt is forthcoming;” | ‘Pray make haste: there is no time to lose,” he ex- and he Jaughed in a manner which made Rameey’s | claimed, with an excitement which he could not blood run cold in his veins and his flesh creep upon | restrain. his bones. ‘© We shall be ready in a jiffy,” said the Big Beg- “Well—after all, you can but refuse—and there will | Garman; and he thereupon followed his daughter be no harm done,” said the latter, in a musing tone ' Up the steep and narrow staircase which has already and after a short pause. “But. 18 impossible that | been descyibedin‘a previous chapter. you can misunderstand me for aaingle moment! In . , a word—the baronet must be put out of the way—or there will be & general exposure, in which we shall ail sink !” “ This is serious—but not too serious for us to un- dertake,” returned the Beggarman. “At the same time, we don’t fear anythink that may come of such an as you talk of.” “ Will five hundred guineas—in good sterling gold —ijinduce you to rid us of this accursed Sir Rucnard Stamford?” demanded Ramsey, worked up to a pitch of desperation by the ruin that stared him jn CHAPTER XXXII. & SCENE ON THE THAMES. On gaining a room on the first-floor, Carrotty Poll set down the light on a table; and, looking her father full in the face, she observed in a low and sinister tone, “ What do you mean to do with this swell.cove ?” | “ Now, look here, my gal,” was the answer, un- the face. was hesitatingly given: “the genelman has got five man you the cash by yout” asked the Beggar- hundred golden boys about him—and them golden boys we mean to have—eh” “That's certain,” responded Carrotty Poll, her couutenance glowing with delight up to the very verge of her flaming and disordered hair. “ Well—and a murder is to be done in order to get the money—eh ?” continued the bloated ruf- fian “Yes —I have brought it with me, returned Ramsey, producing a heavy bag from beneath his cloak: “and it is yours if you will set out with me for Aylesbury—to do the deed—thia very night.” As he uttered these last words in a hoarse whisper, he again secured the money about his person,—while his eyes were fixed with an expression of anxious inquiry upon the countenance of the burly villain. “JT will guarantee that it shall be done—but I can’t do it alone,” responded the latter, after a few instants’ deep reflection. “Must it be done to- night?” “We must set off for Aylesbury to-night,” answered Ramsey impatiently. “Martin will be devoured with the most cruel suspense until] my return: and I dare not return unless it be with the certainty that the man who holds my very life in his hand ——" “'Well—we won’t waste time by talking over it,” “True again: but do go on—or he'll get tired of waiting and begin to suspect something,” exclaimed Poll, with vixenish sharpness. “A murder muat be committed, you say?” “To be sure. And what does it matter to us which is put out of the way—this Ramsey, or that baronet? Besides, it ain’t worth while going all the way to Aylesbury to knock a fellow on the head for the purpose of getting five hundred guineas—when it can be done close by, on the river?” “T understand you, father,” said the young wo- man. “But you and me can’t do it alone. Some one must scull the boat ?” “The Kinchin-Grand is in the public-room,” Magsman without delay. He is at the house on (‘other side of the river, where the baronet was con-~ fined. ; answered the Big Beggarman ; “and he shall come J “T will accompany you to him,” said Ramsey. | along with _ Come—let us depart. “What! a mere boy—a youth of sixteen or a a TT I I a Ta a DT aT I iy A <A UINI IIY sR gE, “This moment,” observed the Beggarman. “We | seventeen?” ejaculated Carrotty Poll. “ He's a desperate fellow—and I know he'll serve ali - + Oe - a COMIGBOOKS COMM