The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 132: what you’re looking at

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waterman to pull with all his might; though I was fearful that no good could be done, in the pitchy darkness.” * And did you—did you—see anything?” asked the Beggarman, scarcely able to lide the trouble which now filled his guilty soul. “Head!” exclaimed Meagles; “it was scarcely possible to see your hand ata distance of six inches from your face—although, by the bye, we could see the gibbet and the bedy through the darkness: but somehow or another, those things are never com- There pletely hidden, even in the blackest night. seems to be a Providence in all that !” impatience to hear the rest of your story. did the same on the other. deep darkness. that it was a human countenance.” | discovery. was really rescued from a watery grave. “ Mr. Meagles instantly turned to assist me—the waterman likewise lent a hand—and we succeeded in dragging the unfortunate individual into the boat,” continued Lady Letitia: “but it was at the risk of our own lives—for the wherry was as nearly as possible being up set by the proceeding.” “ And did he speak ?—did he say anything?” de- manded the guilty rudian, his fears becoming every instant more appalling. “ Te was senseless —and we thought that life must _be extinet,” replied the huntress, “ But we bade the _waterman pull back to Execution Dock as quickly _as he could—and during the few minutes which thus elapsed, Mr. Meagles rubbed the poor gentleman's 'hands briskly between his own, while I chafed his | temples. By the time the wherry reached the stairs again, we had the satisfaction of knowing that the vital spark was still flickering.” “Ah! avery pleasant satisfaction,” observed the Big Beggarman, who could have killed the Amazon and Tim Meagles both—then and there—for what he considered to be their “cursed officiousness” in endeavouring to restore Philip Ramsey to life. “ And pray, my lady, what did you do next?” he in- quired, still maintaining as much outward composure as possible. “We landed, and bore the gentleman to the nearest public-house——” “The Mariners’ Arms, I’ll be bound ?”’ exclaimed the Beggarman. THE MYSTERIES. “ Dear me, Tim, how you are wandering!” cried the Amazon; “and here is the worthy landlord all But I will tell it myself. You must know, then,” she continued, addressing herself to the Big Beggarman, “that the waterman who rowed us, pulled manfully—and Mr. Meagles leant over the gunwale on one side, while [ All of a sudden I saw something white—yes—absolutely white through the It appeared abruptly—quick as the eye winks—close by my side of the wherry ;—and simultaneously as I caught sight of it, I beheld enough to carry the rapid conviction to my mind “The devil it was!” ejaculated the Big Beggar- man, summoning all his self-possession to his aid, while his guilty soul was quaking at the prospect of “Yes—it was a human countenance,” repeated the Amazon emphatically: “with the speed of thought, I mechanically stretched out my arm—and my hand clutched the hair upen the unfortunate man’s head.”’ “And you saved him?” cried the bloated ruffian with terrific impatience, which Meagles and the Amazon however believed to arise from a feeling ef humanity prompting the hope that a fellow-creature i man. EES 117 “Yes—that was the sign: for the name is painted on the lamp,” said Meagles. ‘‘ Well—we had our unfortunate charge, who was still senseless, conveyed to a chamber,” continued Lady Letitia Lade; “and while Meagles and the landlord stripped and put him to bed, I myself ran for the nearest surgeon, whom I speedily found, al- though perfectly ignorant of that precious neigh- bourhood.” “And then, I suppose, the doctor pretty soon re- covered the genelman 2?” observed the ruffian. “By the time I returned, accompanied by the medical man, the patient was already so far recalled to his senses that he was conscious of the attentions which were being ministered,” answered the huntress: “but he was still utterly unable to speak—and the doctor said that many hours might elapse before he would regain sufficient strength to enable him to utter a word.” “Ah!” ejaculated the Big Beggarman, much re- lieved. “ What sort of a looking fellow was he, my lady?” he inquired, although entertaining scarcely any doubt of the identity of this gentleman with Philip Ramsey. “ Tall— handsome — genteel,” replied Meagles : “slightly made—and not thirty years old yet, I should think. Poor gentleman! it will have been a narrow escape indeed, even if he should ultimately recover.” “Is there any danger still, then ?” demanded the Big Beggarinan, hastily. ‘Of course there is,” responded Meagles: “ but the doctor seemed to think he would get over it. However, Lady Letitia and myself did all we could for him—and, come what may, we have nothing to reproach ourselves for. He had but little money in his pockets—and we therefore left sufficient with the landlord of the tavern for present purposes, until we call co inquire after him again.” “Then you don’t know who the gentleman is?” said the Beggarman. “There was not a paper—nor a card—nor any document whatever about his person to afford the slightest clue to his name or abode,” answered Tiin Meagles : “but his dress and appearance bespoke him to be a gentleman.” “ Well, the adwentur’ was a singular one,” observed the Big Beggarman, who, during the latter part of this conversation, had been revolving a certain scheme in his head: for this rescue and resuscitation of Ramsey seemed to menace the villain with serious peril. “ But won’t you take some little refreshment, sir—and you, my lady—after the fatigues you’ve both gone through this cold night?” “ Nothing, I thank you,” answered Meagles, “ Come, Letitia—we will depart.” The Beggarman affected to open the door offi- ciously --but, instantly turning back againtowards the huntress and her companion, he exclaimed, “ Well— this is fortunate! There’s Joe Warren just come in —and he’s goneup bya private way to his own room.” “We may as well see him, in that case,” said Meagles, pleased at the intelligence thus abruptly conveyed. “'To be sure,” observed the Amazon. “Perhaps he may suggest some scheme which may put us upon the track of Lightfoot’s daughter.” “No doubt of it, my lady,” returned the Beggar- “This way, if you please.” _—-— com Clooolks., conn