The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 387: what you’re looking at

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

302 THE COURT OF LONDON erew so confused I was at a loss what to do, and, inventing some excuse, —HI really forget what, —AI left the room, not once looking back, for I felt convinced that the old hag was staring after me with her nasty gray eyes.” ‘““T dare say it was all fancy on your part, Poll,’’ said the Beggarman. ‘‘ The crone’s ways were peculiar, p’raps — ”’ “Well, it might be so,” interrupted the young woman; “but I didn’t stop to make those reflections at the time. To tell you the truth, I was glad to get away; for I began to think that the nurse would alarm the house, and the landlord might keep me till he could send for a constable. Well, I left the room, as I told you. This was about an hour ago, and as the Mariners’ Arms is an early breakfast- house for labourers and colliers employed at the docks and wharfs, the potman was taking down the shutters. There was a light in the bar; and just as I was going out, who should come in to get a morning dram, but Joe Warren.” ‘““He was up betimes, at all events,’ observed the Big Beggarman. ‘“ Of course he recognized you! ”’ “To be sure, in a moment,” answered Poll; ‘“ because he has often seen me decked out in this way. Before I could give him a look to prevent him from speaking to me, he asked what the deuce was going on, and insisted on my taking a drop of brandy with him. Then the talkative pot- man began to inquire of me how the gentleman up-stairs was; and the fellow gabbled away at such a rate that Joe Warren heard quite enough to make it impossible for me to tell him any lies about it. He followed me out; and I thought the best plan was to explain the whole matter to him, just for all the world as if neither you nor me ever meant to keep it a secret. He said he didn’t care much about Ramsey’s affair, and told me to mind and tell you to put away his share of the five hundred guineas; as everything relating to the Aylesbury bankers was a matter in which he had his claim for ‘ regulars.’ I assured him that you had already done so; and the business was thus made square enough. He then ordered me to have Meagles and Lady Lade set at liberty the instant that I returned; and he said that you needn’t trouble yourself about Ram- sey, as he’ll attend to him. He also observed that he in- tended to make a call this evening in Pall Mall — you know COMICMDOOKS.COLN