The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

282 THE COURT OF LONDON likewise allowed her the leisure necessary to recover her self- possession; and, shocked at the idea that she had exhibited emotions which must be either incomprehensible to the man or upon which he must have put the strangest construction, she hastened to observe that she was suffering under a very severe indisposition, of which a bewildering headache con- stituted a part. She then once more demanded the business which had brought Mobbs thither; and the man proceeded to explain himself in the following manner: “The fact is, ma’am, last night me and my master, Mr. Peter Grumley, the head officer of Bow Street, separated at your door, me going one way, and Mr. Grumley remaining behind to pay his respects to you. But he hasn’t made his appearance this morning at the office or yet been heerd of at his lodgings; and therefore I thought as how you might have sent him off somewhere on partickler business.” “It is perfectly true that your comrade called upon me last night,’’ said Mrs. Brace, who had now altogether recov- ered her presence of mind; ‘“ but he did not remain with me above ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, and then he took his departure.” ‘“‘ Well, this is wery strange,” said Mobbs, evidentfy much perplexed. Then, after a few moments’ deep thought, he observed, inquiringly, ‘‘ P’raps it wouldn’t be too bold, ma’am, if I was to ask whether you paid him any money? ” ““ Yes, five hundred guineas, according to agreement,’’ was the prompt answer. ‘ I know that I may trust you as confi- dently as if it were Mr. Grumley himself,’ she added, with a smile. “To be sure you may, ma’am,”’ observed Mobbs. Then, recurring to the topic which was uppermost in his mind, he said, in a musing tone, “‘I should scarcely think that Grumley has gone and got into dangerous company with all that swag about his person. He’s rayther too knowing for that sort of thing; and as for his being attacked, robbed, and murdered in the open streets, that isn’t likely.” “Depend upon it, your friend will make his appearance in the course of the day,” said Mrs. Brace. ‘* Perhaps he has taken a little drop too much in the company of some jovial revellers and is sleeping away his headache.”’ ‘No, ma’am, that isn’t like Peter Grumley,” said Mobbs, shaking his head ominously. ‘If he isn’t murdered, then CORICLOO© te) S CO