The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 319: what you’re looking at

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

THE OLD FENCE’S ABODE 293 Why, that man was born to get into trouble. What chances, what opportunities he has had! What business we have done together! And yet, somehow or other, he is always running into scrapes.” ‘‘ But since you have done SO nsich business with him,” observed: Sally Melmoth, ‘ won’t you give him your advice? To tell you the truth, relying on your friendship, I have made an appointment for him to come and meet me here.”’ ‘Come here? ”’ actually screamed the old man, his shriv- elled form shaking from head to foot, and continuing to tremble, as if with the palsy, while he went on to say, in a sharp, querulous tone, ‘‘ What an hour to make an appoint- ment at a person’s house! I won’t have it, I can’t have it.” “But it is done, the appointment is made,” said Sally Melmoth, “‘ and it’s too late to alter it. I must wait for him here.” ‘When will he come? When will he come?” asked the old man, nervously. ‘In about half an hour or so,’’ was the response. ‘I walked quicker than usual, and therefore got here sooner than I expected. Come, Mr. Jeremy, pray don’t look so crogs about it. We shall do you no harm, and surely Daniel has put enough things in your way at different times to induce you to show him this little civility.” “Well, well, I don’t know but what you say is true enough,” observed the ancient fence, somewhat softened. ‘‘ But it must be a very bad case indeed for Daniel to make his appointments here. It shows as if all his usual haunts and wonted cribs had become too hot to hold him. Come, tell me frankly, Sal, what is the matter? ”’ “Why, you know Nell Gibson? ” ‘“Ah! she disappeared in a strange way some time ago. What about her? ” ‘‘ It’s just for that disappearance that Daniel’s in trouble,”’ answered Sal, ‘“‘ and moreover, there’s a precious break-up down at the Folly Bridges.” ‘* At Bencull’s? ” asked the old man. “Yes. But hark! there’s Daniel! ”’ she exclaimed, as the bell rang. Old Humpage took up the light and went to open the door. In less than a minute he returned to the parlour, followed © (C(O) nn) GDoOo <Si