The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 337: what you’re looking at

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

822 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “ Yes—and something about a letter,” said Chif-; “If she pays you beforehand, you can take your fin, atcepting the two invitations relative te the reward from her, or not—as you choose. With that seat and the wine. “ Where is that letter, Sul?” | we have nothing to do: but although you will “ Hore it is:”—and the landlord produced it from faithfully promise at the time to perform whatsoever his pocket-book. | her ladyship requires, you must leave yourself in Mr. Gunthorpe and William Deveril watched tha our hands.” felluw’s countenance as he opened the note enclosed | “And there is to be no such thing as constables, in the envelope: but its contents were evidently or exposure, or kicking up a row, or anything of brief enougu~-for at a glance he scanned them, and , that sort ?’ said Chitfin: “ because it would be then said shortly, “Oh! that’s it—eh?”’ at the same rather inconyenient for me to get myself into any time consigning the note to his pocket. | trouble.” “ Now, Mr. Chiffin,” said Gunthorpe, “Iwillcome! “ We shall be quite contented with learning what to the point at once. My young friend here hap- Lady Saxondale’s designs are—and frustrating them pened to be in the post-oflice at Gainsborough when : if need be,” responded Mr. Gunthorpe ; “and we that letter was posted; and knowing by whose do not want to give unnecessary publicity to any- hand it was thus posted, he for certain reasons be- , thing.” came anxious to learn what its contents could be— | ‘I'hen there’s nothing more to be said,” observed an anxiety wherein I fully share. Will you accept the Cannibal. “I shall set off into Lincolnshire fifty pounds and let us see that note?’ . * | to-morrow; and I will meet you the day after “Make it a hundred,” said Chiffin; “and it | to- morrow, at any hour or place you like, in the shall be in your hand in less than a minute,” | evening.” “Very well: be it a hundred. Here are two| “Let it be at half-past’ nine o’elock, and some- fifty pound notes: but as everything ought to be | ' where i m the neighbourhood of Saxondale Castle, a square,” added Gunthorpe, glancing slyly towards | suid Mr. Gunthory pe. Solomon Pateh, “ you shall take the money with one| “On the bank of the river, and on the north hand and give me the Jittle billet with the other.” _| side of the castle, about a mile or two distant from “Ah! I see you get up early enough in the morn- | the building. I shall be punctual.” ing,” said Chiffiu with a chuckle, “and can’t be took | “And so shall we,” replied Mr. Gunthorpe, rising in easy. Here’s the note.” | from his seat. The exchange was made; and Mr. Gunthorpe} Je enen tossed down a guinea for the benefit of opened the billet, Deveril looking over his shoulder, | Scluymon Patch, who was infinitely delighted that A'l that it contained were these words :-— the old gentleman did not allude to the fifty pounds ‘Come down into Lincolnshire in the course of a few | Wich had been so trickily optained from him. Mr. days I wish to see you particularly. Every night at Gunthorpe and Deveri) then issued forth from the eleven o’clock I will look into the chapel to see if you ' boozing-ken, well satisfied to breathe the fresh air ere there,” ! once more: for the very atmosphere of that place Mr. Gunthorpe and Deveril exchanged looks as appeared laden with the pestiferous breath of crime. much as to ask each other what was to be done ; debauchery, and demoralization. now ? for they were scarcely any wiser than before,| “What think you now, my dear sir?” asked beyond having thei? suspicion confirmed that Lady | William Deveril, as he and Mr. Gunthorpe pursued Saxondale required he aid-of some desperate cha- | their way towards the spot where they had left the racter, no doubt for desperate purpose. carriage waiting. “You expect to be well rewarded for whatsoever “YT can form no otber conjecture than that which this may lead to?” said Mr. Gunthorpe after a | has already struck us both—that her ladyship, find- brief pause, and addressing himself to Chiffin. ing the affair in respect to yourself, becoming serious, “TI never tell no tales,” respcnded the Cannibal, | is resolved to make away with you. But we shall “unless it’s made worth my while.” put her to confusion.” “Whatever this lady may off youasareward| “Oh, what a dreadful woman!” exclaimed Wil- for the business in which she requires you,” said | liam, shuddering at the thought. “ Yes—my dear Mr. Gunthorpe, “I will give you double if you put | sir, it is indeed difficult to arrive at any other con- us in the way of learning what it is.” clusion: for this circumstance, following so closely “That’s speaking plain enough,” observed Chiffin; | upon the receipt of the letter from her solicitors, “and I like the proposition so well that it’s a bar- is but too well calculated to confirm that belief. gain. What do you want me to do?” Are you not shocked, Mr. Gunthorpe, at the bare “ From this note, brief though it be, it is evident | idea of a lady of such a proud position, condesceni- that you have the means of introducing yourself | ing to make use of such instruments as that villain at will into sorme chapel * whose company we have just left ?” “ That of Saxondale Castle,” interjected Deveril. “Shocked, certainly—but not at all astonished,” “The allusion is clearly thereto.” returned Mr. Gunthorpe, in his own dry blunt “ Yes: all right,” said Chiffin. “Go on.” manner. “It is all very well for the higher classes “ Well then,” continued Mr. Guuthorpe, “if you | to denounce the wickedness and the demoralization can introduce yourself into the castle, you can no | of the lower: but in a thousand ways it is the doubt introduce others; and therefore you must | example of the former which creates the crime and render me and Mr. Deveril ear-witnesses of what- | vice of the latter. Besides, William, you were not soever takes place between yourself and Lady Saxon- | so long in Italy without learning that titled ladies dale. If you do this, I promise you precisely the make use of bravoes who do the work of murder for double of whatsoever roward she may offer you.” gold: and why should it not be so in this country? “And of course T can take both rewards?” ob- | Depend upon it, there are more crimes committed served Chiftin inquiringly. by the uppor classes, or else al their instigation, LL ens — = — i a I