The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 334: what you’re looking at

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

a ig nn THER MYSTERISS. eee ey a OC 319 lady retracing her way rapidly down the road, lean- ing on the arm of a gentleman. The miste of that morning hour had by this, time dispersed—and already did a faint quivering in the east denote that the sunbeams were endeavouring to force their way through the heavy atmosphere. The weather was cold—not with the crisp exhilarat- ing freshness of a frosty air, but with the more piercing, penetrating chill of dampness. But though the nobleman trembled, alike with the natural cold and from the influence of harrowing feelings—yet nether the Magsman nor the Big Beggarman ap- peared in the least degree uncomfortable. And now, as the lady and the gentleman drew nearer and nearer as they came arm-in-arm along the road, Joe Warren and his accomplice were enabled to observe that the latter was young—ap- parently about two or three and twenty—tall, slender, handsome, and well-dressed. By his manner, it seemed that he was conversing not only joyously but affectionately with his companion as they walked rapidly on: but from time to time he cast a furtive look behind him towards the farm-house, as if fearful of pursait. All was still and quiet, however, in that direction. The lady still wore her mask: but the elegance of her gaitand the musical grace of her walk could not be concealed by the ample cloak which enveloped her;—and the Magsman felt convinced that she belonged to the upper class. As for the Big Beggar- man, he did not trouble himself much about the | matter, his whole thoughts being centred in the re- ward that he was to gain and of which he had already received a handsome instalment as an earnest. And now the fatal moment was at hand! Forth sprang the Magsman and the Big Beggar- man from behind the pile of granite blocks :—forth they sprang, we say—like tigers bursting from their lir—and the young gentleman gave vent to a loud cry of mingled amazement and terror as their iron grasp was laid upon him. The masked lady stepped abruptly aside, so as to leave him completely at the mercy of the ruffians; and at that instant the con- viction appeared to flash to the mind of the unhappy victim that she had betrayed him! Then, ere the Magsman had time to thrust into his mouth the sponge which the nobleman had given himy for the purpose, the young gentleman gave ut- terance to a moan of bitter anguish, accompanied by the mention of a female Christian name? And that name was caught by theears of the Mags- man aud the Big Beggarman : but the next moment the victim was silenced —for they thrust the gag into his mouth, despite the desperate struggles which he made and the maddened resistance which he “By heaven! I will shoot him if he dares to utter another word!” exclaimed the nobleman, now springing forth from behind the granite-blocks, with & pistol ready cocked in bis hand. “No—no!” cried the lady, ina stifting voice of profound emotion: “he is silenced now—spill not his blood ——” “Bring him this way, my men!” said the nobie- man hastily: and, taxing the Jady’s hand, he led her in advahece towards the bridge. The young gentleman continued to struggle : but the united strength of the Magsman and Big Beggarman was irresistible —and they CnnnEEeemenqees ewe gee eee —_a—— =. a. eo + dragged him on towards the spot which the noble- man and the lady had already reached and whither the former was beckoning them with feverish ex- citement. But all this took place in far less time than we are occupying in detailing it: comparatively it was the work of a miaute—one brief mipute, in which fear, despair, agony, and the bitterness of death itself were all concentrated and compressed ! And, O horror of horrors! how can we find words to do justice to the crowning tragedy ? For, in obedience to the signs which the noble- man made, the Magsman and the Beggarmaa thrust the unhappy, writhing, struggling, despair. ing youth into the hollow of the buttress: yes— there they thrust him—into that hole they forced him down headlong—and then, loosening the winch- rope which sustained the massive stone above, they let it fall upon the mouth of this living tomb ! It was dove—that tremendous deed was accom- plished—this astounding crime was consummated § And, stiffened with dread horror, the nobleman and the lady—appalled by the very tragedy of which they themselves had proved the directing arch-flends—remained, transfixed as it were to the spot, with their eyes rivetted on that crowning stone beneath which their victim had disappeared. But the lady was the first to recover her pre- sence of mind—the firat to throw off the ooils of remorse, “Come,” she said, suddenly starting from that statue-like immoveabillty into which terror had temporarily paralyzed her, and laying her hand upon the arm of her companion in order to arouse him likewise from the numbness and torpor of his senses ;—“ come,” she repeated—“for we have yet much to do {” “Would to God that we had never begun this dread work at all!” he murmured in a tone so low that his words escaped the ears of the Magsman and the Big Beggarman. “Coward !—you are a coward!” said the lady, the reproach hissing savagely between her lips, as her eyes from behind the mask seemed to shoot forth living fire. “ But, come—collect your ener- gies—recall your courage,” she added immediately, and in a more conciliatory tone: “remember all the advantages which will ensue from the deed just perpetrated.” “Oh! yes—advantages beyond number—gold to gild the wounded conscience—broad lands to ap. pease the worm of remorse !” ejaculated the nobie- man: “marvellous advantages, truly !°—and he langhed the fiendish biting laugh which has the poison of hell in its mirth. “ Mercifal God! compose yourself,” said the lady, impleringly. “Those men will overhear nu——” “Pardon—forgive me—J knew not what I said nor what I did for the moment,” interrupted the nobleman, pressing the lady’s band reassuringly. “ Just now, when I proposed to fire upon him, it was you who were overcome by your feelings of horror—and now that the deed is done, it is my turn! But come—come away—let us depart—the morning is advancing —the masons will be com- lu “Come, then—and beware how you give reia to your tongue |” whispered the lady, impressively. ore - + - 2. =—wenee 6 2 oe —_—ow =P The party now retraced their steps to the car- Comite bole S COMM