The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

142 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ~ en a oe a a a cee aa ae ca oie “He sleeps in the same corridor with the other male domestics of the household. His door is no doubt locked; and if you attempted to force it, an alarm would be raised. A dozen men-servants, most of them for a certainty possessing loaded wea- - pons, would be upon you.” “Her ladyship speaks like a book,” whispered Tony Wilkins. “Take the blunt; it will be a deuced good night’s work.” The Cannibal slightly turned his head towards his companion to hear what he had to say; and during the few brief moments his eyes were thus averted from Lady Saxondale, she again swept her own glances with lightning quickness towards the mantel-piece; and a scarcely perceptible gleam which flitted over her countenance might be regarded as an indication that she had discovered the object for which she had twice searched. The lady’s sweeping glance was so rapid, and that gleam on the features was so transient, that it was a wonder Chiffin observed either. But he did, nevertheless: for ere completely turning his looks again towards Lady Saxondale, he glanced at her from the cor- ners of his eyes;—for there was altogether some- thing in her calm self-possession, in her fortitude and coolness, which had made him suspect that she was contemplating some stratagem to effect a turn- ing of the tables against himself and com- panion. « Well, ma’am,” he said, with no alteration in his own voice, look, or manner, “‘me and my pal is agreed to take the blunt—or saving your presence, the money—and we mean to be satisfied. But of course we can’t let you go by yourself to your own room; ’cause why, it’s certain sure you would come back with a posse of servants at your heels.” “JT did not for an instant suppose,” rejoined her ladyship, “that you would trust me out of your sight. My chamber is at no great distance henee, and easily accessible. One of you can proceed thither.” “Well, that looks reasonable enough,” remarked Chiffin; “because one of us will in that case stay to keep guard upon you. I say,” he continued, turn- ing towards his companion, “you shall act the part of sentinel. Here, take my clasp-knife—hold it open in one hand—and keep the pistol in t’other. Don’t be afraid to use ’’em if need be. Keep your eye on her ladyship’s face the whole time—it’s a pleasant face to look at and if you see the least >> chamber. But mind, I warn you beforehand, that if you think of throwing me in the way of any of your flunkeys, or sending me into an ambush, ll plant a bullet through the brains of the first that dares to lay a hand upon me. And mind you, if my friend here, who is going to act the part of sentinel, hears my pistol fired in any other part of the house, he’ll instantly fire his own; and it/ll be to settle your ladyship on the spot. For look you, ma’am, if we’re nabbed we may just as well swing for half-a-dozen things as for one or two.” “You might have spared all these threats,” re- marked Lady Saxondale, still with an extraordinary coolness and presence of mind; “ because I feel that Iam powerless in your hands. As a matter of course if I were able, I should frustrate your designs: but I repeat, I am powerless—and there- fore I am making the best of the matter and effect- ing a compromise with you.” “Go on, ‘then, with the directions which you were going to give,” said Chiffin: “for there has already been enough time wasted.” “You must issue forth by that door,” said Lady Saxondale, pointing to one at the farther extremity from that by which the burglars had entered the room: “ you will then find yourself upon a landing with a staircase before you. Ascend that staircase, and the first door on the right hand opens into my private chamber. This key,” continued Lady Saxon- dale, indicating one upon a bunch of five or six, “opens a chest of drawers in that chamber; and in the second drawer from the top you will find the money of which I have spoken, lying loose in one corner. Ihave nothing more to say.” All the while she was thus speaking, Chiffin the Cannibal fixed his eyes keenly upon Lady Saxon- dale’s countenance: but he saw nothing therein to confirm the suspicions which had been excited in his mind. He therefore resolved to run the risk of the adventure: for though he had appeared to erumble at what he pretended to regard as the small amount of money which was forthcoming, he was secretly pleased at the idea of obtaining such a sum, inasmuch as a booty in the shape of ready cash rendered him independent of old Solomon Patch; and moreover it was a very dangerous experiment to pass through the streets of London with a large quantity of plate in the possession of a susp:cious-looking individual. “T suppose there’s no light where I am going,” inclination on her part to cry out, don’t hesitate to | he observed; “and therefore I'd better take one of give her a knock over the head with the butt-end of | them wax-candles.” the pistol, or slit her windpipe with the cold steel.” “Trust to me,” replied Tony Wilkins, as he re- ““Yes—you had better,” returned Lady Saxon- dale. “But I say though,” observed Chiffin, again ceived from the hand of his companion the clasp- | hesitating as a sudden idea struck him, “ suppose knife which this latter produced from the capacious | any of your ladyship’s maids was about—which is pocket of his shaggy coat. more than likely, as you yourself are sitting For an instant—and only for an instant—did | uap——” Lady Saxondale seem to quiver with a cold shud- | “IT dismissed them to their chambers long ago,* dering at the horrible instructions which Chiffin thus | returned Lady Saxondale; “and I do not think gave his companion, and which instructions he pur- | you incur the slightest risk of encountering a soul.” posely elaborated in this cold-blooded manner in|} “IfI do, ma’am,” rejoined Chiffin, with a terrible order to convince Lady Saxondale that it was no | scowl of his hideous features and a savage glare of child’s play and that any trickery on her part would | his reptile-eyes, “it will be the worst for you. Now, oost her her life. mate,” he added, to his companion, “keep a sharp “ Now, ma’am,” continued the Cannibal, “if you'll | look-out on her ladyship; and if you hear any just be so good as to give me all necessary directions, | Suspicious noise you’ll know what to do.” I'l take the liberty of proceeding to your ladyship’s| Having thus spoken, Chiflin the Cannibal took ne mr ee Ct. it ta i ly I ee com (C SS (€)