The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 101: what you’re looking at

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&4 Bess issued forth, the constable keeping in her | track, but at an interval of a dozen or fifteen’ yards. The Town-hall was reached; and Mr. Marlow, who had got there first, stopped the Mayor from quitting the magisterial seat, as he-was about to do, the morning’s business being over. So quietly had the whole thing been managed that nothing of what was going on had got wind through the town; and there were consequently but very few loiterers in the court when Lady Bess was introduced to the’ presence of the magistrate. Almost immediately after her arrival, old Marshall and his family, ac- | THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “Tt was between six and seven o’clock last evening,” responded Marshall, with imperturbable gravity. The Mayor was evidently struck with astonish. ment ; and turning towards Mr. Marlow, he said, “ At what hour of the past night was it that your carriage was stopped in the manner you have de- scribed ?” “ It must have been, as near as I can guess, close upon one o’clock,” replied the solicitor. “ Then, do you not clearly see,” asked the Mayor, “ that a perfect alibi is proven ?” “ IT confess, your worship, that I am bewildered,” companied by Mr. Hood and his assistant, made’ responded Mr. Marlow. “But I should like this their appearance: for the tavern-keeper had called for the medical men on the way to the Town-hall, | telling them what had occurred, and intimating that from all which had transpired in his own bar- parlour he thought their evidence would be wanting. Of course Mfr. Hood and the assistant were very much surprised to hear of their patient being in custody on such a serious charge; and they felt assured it must be some extraordinary mistake. Lady Bess was compelled to enter the dock, the accusation being one of felony against her. But she sat down there with an aspect of calm dignity | and of placid confidence, in which however there was not the slightest tinge of bravado nor un- seemly hardihood. The Marshalls and the medical box. The proceedings then commenced by the pro- secutor being sworn. He stated that his name was Sidney Marlow—that he was a solicitor carrying on business in Parliament Street, Westminster— and that his private abode was at Edmonton, also in the county of Middlesex. He then proceeded to describe the circumstances of the attempted rob- bery, just as they are already known to the reader— not omitting the details of Lady Bess’s escape from the cottage: that is to say, so far as he was ac- quainted with them. At this stage of the proceedings the Mayor, ad- dressing Lady Bess, said, “The present is so very serious a charge that perhaps you would like to have young lady ”’—pointing to Kate—* to be sworn.” “To be sure,” said the Mayor, ‘“ Miss Marshall, stand forward.” Kate, with as much resoluteness and self- possession as her father had just shown, stepped inte the witness-box and unhesitatingly teok the oath. “ Now, Miss Marshall,” said Mr. Marlow, “ what communication did the prisoner make to you rela- tive to her place of abode ?” “She told me, sir,” was the response, “ that she lived at a cottage somewhere near Tottenham and Edmonton.” ‘And your worship will observe,” exclaimed Mr. Marlow, “that it was at a cottage near Edmonton and Tottenham whence the prisoner, as I maintain, - men placed themselves on a bench reserved for witnesses; while Mr. Marlow entered the witness- | escaped from me in the mannerI have described. I submit that the identity is proven.” “ At what o’clock, Mr. Marlow,” asked Lady Bess, “do you allege that I escapedfrom you? Youhave stated that the attack upon your carriage was made about a quarter to one: will you be kind enouch to mention how long afterwards it was that the escape took place P”’ ** About an hour afterwards,” responded Marlow: “it was getting on for two.” “ At which hour, your worship,” said Lady Bess, ‘I was lying in bed very ill at the tavern kept by Mr. Marshall in Dover. I therefore leave it to your worship to decide whether I could have been at the cottage near London and at the hotel in Dover at one and the same time.” “T think, your worship,” said Mr. Hood’s assistant, the case remanded in order that you may procure | now stepping forward, “that I can give some im- the assistance of counsel?”—and as he spoke he | portant evidence in the matter: for though I never could not help gazing upon the prisoner in astonish- | saw the prisoner at the bar before in my life, yet I _ ment blended with compassionate interest; for he , would not for the world remain silent when the cha- naturally felt both surprised and grieved that a/ racter and liberty of a fellow-creature are at stake.” ~ female of such a prepossessing appearance should| The assistant was accordingly sworn; and he de- have placed herself in what seemed to be a most’ posed that shortly after three o’clock in the morn. threatening dilemma. | ing, he had been*rung up by Mr. Marshall, to “I thank your worship for this kind suggestion furnish a composing draught for a lady who was on your part,” answered Lady Bess; “but I think lying ill at the Admiral’s Head—that he was told that after your worship has heard a statement which the lady’s name was Mrs. Chandos—and that he the landlord of the Admiral’s Head can make, and | had written that name on the label accordingly. which all his family can corroborate, you will per-| Mr. Hood now also requested to be sworn: and ecive that I shall have no need for any legal advice.” | this being done, he deposed that at eight o’clock in “ Then let Mr. Marshall stand forward,” said the | the morning he had visited Mrs. Chandos, the Mayor. prisoner at the bar, at the hotel—that he had seen The landlord of the Admirals Head, with the her there—and was confident she was the same blunt honest look that was characteristic of him, | lady who now stood in the dock. and which was calculated to deceive the EvilOne| “This is the most extraordinary case,” said the himself, stood up and was sworn. Mayor, “ that ever came before me. Mr. Marshall, “Now, Mr. Marshall,” said Lady Bess, “ will you you are quite positive that the prisoner arrived at have the kindness to tell his worship at what hour your house last evening between six and seven T arrived at your establishment ?” | o'clock ?” | : Fee a ae ee eee — _ ——$ $< (6) 0)(0)(0) <S) (E©)