The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

230 THE COURT OF LONDON along at a rate which soon imparted a healthier circulation to her blood. In ten minutes they reached Fore Street, and the door of the well-known house was opened by one of the servants who had borne evidence against Caroline at the examination. ‘‘ Ah, and so you are come here, to the house which you have made one of mourning, miss,” said the menial, in a bitter tone, the instant that the light which she held in her hand threw its rays upon the countenance of Caroline. ‘“‘ Silence, woman, I am innocent,”’ ejaculated the young girl, in a tone which made the servant feel that it might really be the truth which was thus solemnly and emphat- ically averred. ‘Yes, silence, and let’s do our work without bickering or ill words,” said Mr. Grumley. ‘‘ Come now, shut the front door, that’s right. Which room isit that you want to go to, miss?’’ he demanded, addressing the question to Caroline Walters. ‘‘ Say your own,” whispered Mobbs in her ear, the servant not catching the hint thus hastily conveyed. “My own,” accordingly exclaimed Caroline; “and I wish to be alone with the constables,’ she added of her own accord. ‘‘ Good,”’ whispered Mobbs. ‘Well, then, come along,’ said Mr. Grumley. ‘ Here, young ’ooman, lend us your candle,” he added, as he took the light from the servant’s hand. ‘“ Which is the parlour where the old lady is laid out? ”’ ‘In there,”’ answered Mobbs, pointing to the door open- ing from the passage, where this conversation took place. “ But I don’t suppose you want to see her? ”’ ‘Not I, indeed,’ responded Grumley. ‘‘ Come, Miss Walters, you lead the way, if you please, and me and my man will foller.’’ Caroline accordingly ascended the stairs, which appeared to creak ominously beneath her feet and those of the two men behind her; and the atmosphere of the house seemed laden with that thick, fetid, nauseating smell which so frequently denotes the presence of a corpse. It even ap- peared that the very walls felt clammy as her hands touched them while she was thus ascending the staircase. And all was silent throughout the dwelling, — all save