The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 21: what you’re looking at

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_ succeeded in getting away in a boat. 8 daily and hourly at his usual places of resort, while the tragedy was being enacted in the country, he felt assured that even though suspicion might seem to point to him as the author of the atrocity, yet it would be impossible to bring the crime home to his door. As for what public opinion might sur- mise or say, he was utterly reckless: it was sufficient for him to destroy the barrier that at present ex- isted between himself and the splendid heritage for which he was prepared to plunge his soul into crime. But the plans and calculations of this wicked young man did not stop here: for he reasoned that if the son and heir was once removed, the loss would either break old Lord Saxondale’s heart; or if he should survive it, then another crime, per- petrated under circumstances as guarded and as precautionary as the first, would at once sweep away every obstacle to the fulfilment of his hopes. As we have already said, the requisite agents for Ralph Farefield’s purposes did not appear to be wanting; and out of the money drawn from the bankers, he had still enough left to bribe them. Besides, the fourth year was just passed; and he had another three hundred pounds to receive. The means for executing his plans were therefore in his possession. Amongst the desperate characters whom he ‘had sought out from the vile dens in London, was one whom he specially intended to be the principal agent in the tragic enterprise. This was a ruffian whose name was Chiffin, and who was called the Cannibal. The origin of this odious nick-name may be explained in a few words. Chiffin was the son of respectable parents, who reared him weil, gave him a decent education, and apprenticed him to a trade: but when seventeen or eighteen, he ran away and went to sea. The ship in which he em- barked, was engaged in the South American trade; and when crossing the Pacific, it was overtaken by a violent tempest, so that in a very short time it became a complete wreck. The greater portion of the crew were drowned; but some six or seven men Amongst these survivors was Chiffin. The small stock of provisions they had managed to bring from the wreck, was very soon exhausted; and for several days they were tossed about on the broad ocean enduring all the horrible pangs of hunger and thirst. At length a whisper passed round amongst them; and they agreed to cast lots who should die to furnish food for the rest. The lot fell upon the THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. es eS associate of the vilest of the vile in the and infamous neighbourhoods of London; and by the desperate rullianism of his character, his daring exploits, his success in eluding the officers of justice, and his lavish expenditure of his ill-gotten gains, he was looked up to as a sort of chief or ruler amongst his companions. In the course of time the terrible tale relative to the murdered boatswain got abroad, —either being whispered by one of Chiffin’s com- rades on the occasion, or else vauntingly proclaimed by himself when in his cups: and thus the horrible appendage of Cannibal was joined to his name. Such was the dreadful character whom Ralph Farefield selected as the principal agent in his own murderous design. We must observe that Chiffin the Cannibal was now about four-and-twenty years of age—of middle height and muscular form—with a@ countenance of so diabolical an expression, that were it possessed by the most honest man in exist- ence, it would be quite enough to hang him, though innocent, at the very first whisper charging him with an offence. There was something of such unre- deemed ferocity—something so awfully repulsive— something so bloodthirsty and cruel, in Chiffin’s look, that to meet him even in the crowded street and at broad noon-day would startle the most cour- ageous and self-possessed. Indeed, Ralph Fare- field himself could never look upon this man without experiencing a cold chill creep over him and pene- trate to his very heart’s core: but yet he admitted him into his confidence, because he was just the un- scrupulous demon fitted for his purpose. By the time all Ralph’s arrangements were made with Chiffin the Cannibal, the emissary returned from Lincolnshire, and gave such a report that there CO re | ee ee e+ ee + ee Se - oo seemed not the slightest doubt of being enabled to | carry the nefarious project into successful execution. | Chiffin accordingly set off for Lincolnshire, simulta- neously with three of his most faithful confederates. They took different routes so as to avoid suspicion, but having previously settled upon the point where they were to mect in the neighbourhood of Saxon- dale. Chilfin’s instructions were positive and fear- fully definite. The child was to be carried off from its nurse—put to death by means of a poison pro- cured for the purpose—and then left in some public place or thoroughfare where it was sure to be dis- covered, so that its death might be a fact not merely established but also of notoriety. Truc to the plan which he had chalked out, Ralph Farefield now appeared in such public places m London as to secure the certainty of a host of wit- boatswain ; and he resigned himself to his tate. The | nesses being enabled to testify that he did not at this dreadful work of death was done—the man was | period quit the metropvlis even for a single day. He murdered. But when the horrible tragedy was ac- | passed the forenoon at billiard-tables—visited Tat- complished, an immitigable sense of loathing seized | tersall’s and the Parks in the afternoon—dined in upon all the survivors, save one individual: and this| the evening in the coffee-rooms of hotels —and one was Chillin! He alone partook of the loath- | spent the greater portion of his nights at gaming- | some meal. Within a few hours afterwards a vessel came in sight, and the shipwrecked wretches were taken on board; but remaining faithful to an oath | tables. eS ee — Thus ten days passed, during which im-— terval he endured no small amount of suspense, He had forbidden his villanous agents to commu- wnich they had sworn previous to the casting of the | nicate with him by letter, for fear of miscarriage or lots, the dreadful tale of murder was not divulged ; any other accident which might lead to discovery; and and as all traces of the crime had been cleared away thus during these ten days he knew nothing of what from the boat ere it reached the ship, it was not | passed. At the expiration of that time he received suspected, England; and Chiflin, finding that his father and | and he at once proceeded to the low public-house, or his mother had died of grief during his absence, boozing-ken, where he was to meet that dreadful man. was thrown loose upon the world, He became the Qn arriving at the place of appointment, he found ——— o- aT Oe - ~*~ - - ~ _a.-—---— —» In due course the vessel arrived in | an intimation that Chiffin had returned to London; — ECORNICLO® CS co