The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 308: what you’re looking at

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

282 THE COURT OF LONDON wrong was now fully confirmed, ‘‘ I happen to know that he does speak pretty frankly to you.” “ Well, I suppose that Bencull has told you he saw me and the Buttoner talking together this arternoon. But what of that?’’ asked the old woman. ‘I suppose that old acquaintances may stop and chat if they like.” ‘How you are going on!” interrupted the Hangman, affecting to laugh. ‘‘ Why, of course old acquaintances will talk, and I suppose that, as I am an old acquaintance also, there is no harm in my asking about the Buttoner in a friendly way. I always thought he was a good fellow, and was glad to hear he had come back to London again. Will he be here to-night? ”’ “ T can’t say,” replied Mother Franklin. “ But he did go out with Mrs. Young, didn’t he, now? ” ‘“ No,” she returned, ‘‘ he did not,’”’ and though she looked with bold hardihood in the Hangman’s face, he nevertheless saw right well that his random assertion had conveyed a truth and that the Buttoner had actually gone out with Mrs. Young. ‘“‘ Well, then,” he rejoined, “‘ I can positively declare that I saw them together.” “ And what if you did?” demanded Mother Franklin. ‘‘ It’s no business of mine, or of yourn either. What’s it got to do with us? I suppose you don’t care where the Buttoner goes, or who he goes with.” ‘“‘ Not a fig,” answered the Hangman. Then, having taken a long draught of gin and water, he said, with apparent carelessness of manner, “ By the bye, any news of Nell Gibson? I wonder what the deuce has become of that gal. What made her bolt, do you think, from this place? She didn’t owe your missus any money, did she? ”’ ‘“ Not a farthing. She had plenty of money, as I dare say you very well know,” and Mother Franklin nodded signifi- cantly at the public executioner. ““ Yes, there had been some little affairs — the Shooter’s Hill business, for instance — which had put some money into all our pockets, and Nell had her share. But you haven’t told me whether anything has been heard of her? ”’ “How should I know?” asked Mother Franklin, snap- pishly. ‘ Nell was no favourite of mine. She used to give herself precious airs toward me and— But no matter. I CcomilcoooKks (© im