The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

] | 2 _——$——_. S$ Cw OO ElOOO|KS, CON 122 nO ea eal eel Deas 2 AA eB Jic room, and warned them that they had still much to contend against, unless there were an ontlet from that yard otherwise than through the house. Buta few moments’ rapid investigation convinced them that there was not: and no alternative remained but to adopt their original resolution of forcing their way into the street. A low window, apparently belonging to a kitchen, looked into the yard; and as no light shone forth, they concluded that the place was unoccupied at the moment. Thither they accordingly penetrated ; and, their conjecture as to the nature of the room being correct, they provided themselves with the fire-irons as weapons of defence. Meagles then led the way up a narrow and dark flight of stairs, with a formid- able shovel in his hand: while the Amazon followed, wielding a huge poker. Slowly and noiselessly did they proceed, until a door at the top of the steps barred their passage ; and the close vicinity of shouts and laughter in- formed them that this door led direct into the public room. “ ‘The moment I open,” said Meagles to the Ama- zon, in a whisper only just audible, “do you spring Into the apartinent and make for the street. At- tempt not to look behind you—don’t waste a thongnt upon me—eyery instant will be precious. We have got thus far—and we wil] not spoil the adventure by avy folly on our part.” “T am ready,” responded the Amazon, grasping the fire-iron firmly. . The door flew open—and she darted into the room, Meagles was elose behind her;—and their sudden appearance, armed as they were, made all the revellers leap from their seats and erowd round them in an instant. “ Let us pass, good people!” exclaimed Meagles, raising his formidable weapon over his head, and sweeping the host of villaneus faces with his me- nacing loolss. “Stop them!” thundered the Big Beggarman, rushing trom behind the bar: and, elbowing his way with marvellous rapidity through the group, he Jaid a violent grasp upon the collar of the Amazon’s coat. Without an instant’s hesitation the heroie Jady felled the ruffian with a tremendous blow dealt by the heavy poker: andthe Big Begearman lay sense- less at her feet. “Serve him right!” ejaculated a dozen voices. “She has got a noble spirit of her own!” cried one, following up the ery. “She treated us just now like a Princess, as she is,” vociferated another. “And I will treat you again, good people—if you will aid us to escape from the clutches of that treacherous villain,” cried Lady Letitia, pointing indignantly down at the Beggarman: then, at the next moment, she drew out her purse and showered its glittering contents amongst the delighted men and women gathered around. An instantaneous scramble took place; and Meagles, seizing Letitia by the hand, Jed her hur- riedly forth from the vile den. Not a finger was raised to bar their passage: they gained the street in safety-——and, on pausing for a moment at the end of Horslydown to listen, they could hear the en- thusiastic shouts of the motley company in the boozing-ken, but not a footstep in pursuit. —————————— LL nT THE MYSTERIES. hasty syllables of congratulation at this successful adventure, and plunged hand in hand into the maze of streets lying between Horslydown and the vicinity of London Bridge. In half-an-hour they reached the main thorough- fare in Southwark; and thence they took a haeckney- coach to Meagles’ lodgings in Jermyn Street, where they arrived shortly after one o'clock in the morn- ing. A eheerful fire was burning in the grate—a good cold supper was spread upon the table—and the two friends speedily indemnified themselves for the fatigues, annoyances, and perils they had en- countered during the past fiye or six hours. ‘They then retired to repose in eaeh other’s arms, it being too late for the Amazon to return to her own dwelling. CHAPTER XXXY, CARROTTY POLL'S RETURN TO THB BOOZING-KEN. When Lady Letitia Lade emptied her purse amongst the revellers at the Beggar's Staff, there was such a seramble for the gold and siJyver thus lavishly poured forth, that not a sgul theught of rendering assistance to the Big Beggarman, who lay senseless on the floor, stunned by the blow the Amazon had so effectually dealt him. And all the while the men and women were employed in picking up and searehing for the coin, they voci- ferated the most enthusiastie cries in praise of the generosity of the beautiful huntress. At length an old erone, who had syeeeeded in securing a guinea as her share of the bounteous gift, took compassion upon the burly Jandlord ; and the waiter, having likewise profited by the scramble, now proceeded in a leisurely manner to lend his aid, Some water was sprinkled upon the ruflian’s countenance—some brandy was poured down his throat—and in a short time he opened his eyes. His senses were howeyer slow in resuming their empire—for the chastisement he had received was severe: and when at last he was enabled to collect his seattered ideas, and exercise the powers of his memory, he broke out into the most diabolical im- preeations against the whole company for having allowed Meagles and Lady Lade to eseape. This proceeding on his part only provoked the laughter, jeers, and low witticisms of those whom he thus | reyiled; but his wrath was somewhat appeased on learning that the Amazon had showered gold and silver in profusion amongst the crew,—for the ereedy ruffian was well aware that the larger por- tion thereof would find its way into his till ere | sunrise. A strong glass of hot brandy-and-water, the | alcoholic spirit preponderating in quantity over the elementary fluid, restored the Big Beggarman pretty well to his ordinary humour: but he still experienced a racking pain in the head. Being curious to discover how his late captives could | possibly have made their eseape, he ascended to the chamber where he had imprisoned them ;—and the bed dragged up to the window—the open case- ment—the absence of all the sheets, blankets, and coverlid, as well as the very carpet—and then the rope itself, rapidly developed to his amazed comprehension the desperate means which had Throwing away their weapons, they exchanged | been adopted by Meagles and the Amazon to COLMA