The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 332: what you’re looking at

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

sn THE MYSTERIES. 317 isn’t necessary to go all the way to America to cut a chap’s throat.” “ Not at all,” was the immediate answer. “But it suits my purpose that when the business which I have in hand shall be completed, those whom I may have engaged to carry it into execution shall be shipped without delay for America. If this propo- sal meets your views, well and good: if not, we may go our ways at once and no harm is done.” “ Anything suits my book,” said the Magsman, “as long as there’s blunt forthcoming and plenty of it.” “T think, then, that we shall agree very shortly,” observed the unknown. “Have you a faithful friend whom you can trust—a man like your- * As like me in villany as two peas,” interrupted the Magsman: “but Ishould say he was a trifle uglier in the face.” “ And he would consent not only to bear his part in any crime,* continued the nobleman,—* but like- wise to bid farewell to his native land for ever, and settle in America with the fruits of this service which I require ?” “1 can answer for him as easily as for myself,” replied Warren. “ Five thousand pounds, then, are the price which I offer for the deed that is to be done,” said the stranger. “°Tis a grand sum—two thousand five hundred a-piece,” observed the Magsman. “™ But how is it to be paid ?—all in a lump ?” “Decidecly not,” was the emphatic answer :— “or else what guarantee have I that you will em- bark for America when once the money is in your pocket? ‘These are the terms I propose :—“ Five hundred pounds a-piece, for you and your friend, the moment we reach the place where the deed is to beaccomplished. Five hundred pounds more for each, so soon aS the deed shall have been accom- plished. The remaining fifteen hundred pounds a-piece to be paid when you stand on the deck of the vessel at Liverpool.” “ Agreed!” exclaimed the Magsman. “ These are terms which don’t require much consideration. And now, when is the affair to be carried into execution 2?” “To-night, if you can procure the aid of your friend at once,” answered the nobleman: “ and if not, to-morrow night at latest.’ “ As for my friend,” said Joe Warren,—“ I could get him with usin a brace of shakes: but the no- tice for to-night is so precious short—and we’ve both got friends to take leave of—besides, I’ve a young woman [I should like to take out with me— and my pal has got a daughter that he’d wish to say good-bye to——” “You could both write to your friends from Li- verpool,” ‘interrupted the nobleman; “and the young woman you speak of might follow you in the very next ship. Therefore, if you can possibly make arrangements for to-night, I shall be well pleased—-inasmuch as my preparations are all in readiness,” “It shall be as you wish,” said the Magsman. “ And in the same way a3 you made preparation in the belief that the thing would come off to-night, so did [ take a similar precaution in the expecta- tion that there was business in hand which might probably give employment to two. Now then, Price—old feller—come along!” he exclaimed, bawling out loud. “ All right!” ejaculated a voice from a short dis- tance; and at the same moment the Big Beggar- man emerged from behind an adjacent knot of trees, “T also am provided with weapons, understand,” exclaimed the nobleman, in an impressive tone to Joe Warren; “and I hesitate not to punish treachery.” Thus speaking he thrust forth his arms from be- neath his cloak—and each hand grasped a pistol, the click of which as he cocked them fell sharply on the Magsman’s ears. * Lord bless ye, sir,” ejaculated the latter; “me and my pal are as harmless as doves towards our patrons, Only, to tell you the truth, I didn’t know but what some plant might be meant against me, in which case I had the Big Beggarman—for that’s his name—close handy to assist. And it’s lucky that I took such a precaution, since you want your business to come off to-night and it requires two to do it.” “Very lucky,” observed the nobleman laconi- cally, as he concealed his weapons beneath his cloak. “But I leave you to explain matters to your companion.” Thus speaking, he walked a little way aside— keeping a sharp eye, however, through his mask upon the two villains, who were soon in earnest conversation together. Their discourse did not however last long: for at the expiration of a few minutes, the Magsman accosted the nobleman, saying, “I knew it would be all right—and I told you so. My pal is perfectly agreeable, and ac- cepts the conditions which you’ve proposed. In fact, he’s quite ready to cut as many throats from ear to ear as you may want us to try our hands upon.” “ Follow me, then!” exclaimed the nobleman, a cold shudder passing over his form as this toreae language fell upon his ear s° The party proceeded at a rapid pace until they reached the Tyburn Road on the northern boun- dary of Hyde Park; and beneath the shade of the trees over-hanging the wall of Kensington Gar- dens, a private carriage drawn by two horses was waiting. 'Thelamps of the vehicle were not lighted —the blinds were drawn up—and no servant was in attendance save the postilion, who wore a drak great-coat and a shawl handkerchief coming up to his nose. This individual opened the door in silence the moment he beheld his master approaching in com- pany with the two men; and the three got into the carriage, one corner of which was already occupied by afemale. The nobleman placed himself next to her: the Magsman and the Big Beggarman took their seat opposite, which was the one nearest to the horses ;—and the postilion closed the door upon the party. In another moment the vehicle sped rapidly away down the road. Complete darkness reigned inside, all the blinds being carefully drawn up. A long silence likewise prevailed, but this was presently interrupted by the nobleman offering the two ruffians refreshments, with which, it appeared, the pockets of the car- riage were well supplied. Substantial sandwiches | and flasks of brandy were presented to them; and in spite of the intense obscurity, neither the Mags- | Go JOO) AMC <SHIGO)