The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 366: what you’re looking at

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

332 THE COURT OF LONDON exclaimed Mobbs. “ But, by jingo! if such a thing has really taken place — ” “ What thing? ”? demanded the Gallows’ Widow. ‘“ Why, that Grumley has been murdered,” replied Mobbs; ‘‘ and now I have put into the shape of language the suspicion which you have excited in my mind.” ‘“ And you have fully caught the meaning which I intended to convey,” said the Gallows’ Widow. “ For how stands the matter? The last trace which we at present possess of Peter Grumley leaves him at midnight in Mrs. Brace’s house. He has never been seen or heard of afterward. It is quite clear that he did not intend to make himself scarce at that time; because if he had entertained such a notion he would not have arrested me. But that he had been making love to Mrs. Brace before I called was clear enough from what he said when he imposed upon her the conditions of that compromise in virtue of which I was suffered to depart scot free; and from all I observed, it was equally clear that she viewed with horror and loathing the prospect of submitting to the embraces of such a man. You must also reflect that she had that same night paid this very man five hundred and fifty guineas; and now what aspect does the whole affair assume? ”’ ‘Why, that the milliner had every inducement possible to make away with Grumley,” answered Mobbs; “ not only to get back her money, but likewise to rid herself of the necessity of admitting him to her bed.” ‘‘ Such is my idea,” exclaimed the Gallows’ Widow, with the excitement of a malignant triumph. Then, between her teeth, she muttered, ‘‘ Now, Mrs. Brace, I will be avenged upon you for the contempt and scorn with which you treated me the other night.”’ And in the little parlour behind the bar of the Beggar’s Staff did Mobbs remain until a late hour in consultation with the Gallows’ Widow and Carrotty Poll. GOMIGDOOKS (©)