The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 360: what you’re looking at

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

326 THE COURT OF LONDON “Well, Mr. Mobbs, we’re always glad to see you in a friendly way, you know,” exclaimed Carrotty Poll, rendering her vixenish voice as soothing and her manner as cordial as she possibly could. ‘‘ Perhaps you’ll walk around,” she added, after a few moments’ pause, during which she knew that the person who was in the little parlour had retired into concealment. ‘““Thank’ee, Miss Price,’”’ said Mobbs, accepting the invitation. ‘“ I do want to have a word or two with you in private,” he observed, as he walked leisurely behind the counter and entered the snuggery. “ Wait one minute, Mr. Mobbs,” exclaimed the red- haired young woman, “ and I will be with you. Let me see, what spirits do you like? Oh, rum—I remember — so it is,” she added, taking down a bottle from the shelf; and then, arming herself likewise with a jug of hot water, a tumbler, and a sugar-basin, she followed the dreaded indi- vidual into the little parlour. ‘Shut the door, miss, please,’’ said Mobbs, as he snuffed the solitary tallow candle, which burned with a dim and sickly light even in that little place. “‘ Have you heard from your father lately, miss? ”’ “Well, that’s a pretty question coming from a Bow Street officer,” exclaimed Carrotty Poll, affecting a jocose laugh, but in reality not much liking the query, inasmuch as she was instantly seized with the apprehension that her sire had been captured, and that Mobbs was come to break the tidings to her. ‘“‘’Pon my soul, I only made the remark out of politeness,”’ said Mobbs, in a reassuring tone. ‘‘ Of course I know your guv’ner is out of the way, and though I had a hand in taking him, in the first instance, it was o’ny in the way of dooty and not through any disrespeck toward him. Quite t’other; for me and the Big Beggarman has had many a glass together — ”’ “ Well, Ill tell you this much, Mr. Mobbs,” interrupted Carrotty Poll, who was now satisfied that the man’s visit to the Beggar’s Staff did not regard her sire: “‘ I know no more where my father is at this moment than you do, and I’m precious uneasy about him, into the bargain. But what’s brought you over to the Staff this evening?” she inquired, as she placed before Mobbs the reeking glass COMicooolks (C(O)