The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 357: what you’re looking at

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332 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. herself in curtseys at this ‘unlooked-for liberality ; but Mademoiselle D’Alembert, turning abruptly away with the air of one who does not require thanks for any evidence of her bounty, said in a sort of half-whisper to our hero, “If, on your return to London, Mr. Deveril, you would favour me with a call at Evergreen Villa, in the Seven Sisters’ Road, Holloway, I shall be happy to receive you.” “I thank you, Mademoiselle,” replied William, bowing coldly and distantly: “but I shall not be enabled to avail myself of your polite invitation.” The large dark eyes of Emily Archer flashed with sudden fires—her countenance became crimson— she bit her lip, and was evidently about to give ut- terance to some angry ejaculation, for she was deeply mortified: but restraining herself, she passed on without saying a word, flouncing indignantly out of the cottage, followed by the soubrette, who turned up her nose with a half grimace at both Deveril and Mr. Gunthorpe as she whisked by them. “Ah! they be London folks, I see,” said the old woman. “ They give their gold—but they also give theirselves airs.” The cider was now produced. Mr. Gunthorpe and Deveril each took a glass, and pronounced it | excellent. “‘T wonder what that woman and her servant can be doing out here at such a time in the evening,” observed Mr. Gunthorpe to our hero. “ It’s very strange—is it not? But didn’t she say she was ac- quainted with Lord Saxondale? Perhaps she has come after him. However, it’s no business of vur’s:”’ —then turning to the peasant woman, he said, “ You behaved most kindly to my young friend here on a recent occasion; and though I have no doubt he testified his gratitude, yet you must permit me to show mine on his behalf.” With these words Mr. Gunthorpe put five sove- reigns upon the table—and then hurried out of the cottage, accompanied by William Deveril, but fol- lowed to the door by the old woman, her son, and her daughter, who all three poured forth their most heartfelt gratitude for this proof of generosity. And true generosity it was—the money being given from motives of the purest kindness, very different indeed from the ostentation which had ere now ac- companied the gift of Emily Archer. Mr. Gunthorpe and Deveril sped away from the cottage, and in a few minutes reached the bank of the river, where they were almost immediately joined | by Chiffin the Cannibal, who was coming from the direction of Saxondale Castle. The ruffian had his club under his arm, and his hands thrust into the pockets of his great rough shaggy coat: his bat- tered white hat was cocked a little on one side—and the blue smoke was curling up from the bowl of a short pipe which he held in his mouth, “Weil, gentlemen,” he said, “so you are come | according to appointment? My eyes, what a lark C have just had! There was two women a little way farther on in that direction,”—jerking his thumb over his shoulder towards the castle; “and when they saw me they screeched out as if they took me for a highwayman. Now really, gentlemen, [ think I look a trifle more respectable than that— don’t [?”’—and Mr. Chiflin gave a deep chuckling laugh at what he considered to be the merrimess of his conceit. “Ah, I suppose they are the same we saw just —_——_ _ _ now at the hut,” said Mr. Gunthorpe. “ Is it pos- sible that they are going to the castle?” “ Well, it looks like it,” responded Chiffin. “ But, I say, gentlemen—if anything is to be done to-night, we must look sharp. For it’s now close upon ten o’clock: and at cleven, you know, her ladyship will peep into the chapel of the castle to see if 1 am there.” “ Well,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, “you are to intro- duce us thither along with you. I suppose there are plenty of places where we can be secreted, while you hold your discourse with her ladyship ?” * Plenty,” answered Chiffin. ‘“‘ There’s the steps leading from the vestiary down into the vaults; you can stand there just inside the door. Or what’s bet- ter perhaps, there’s the tombs, behind one of which you can hide as nice as possible; ’cause why, I can walk as if quite promiscuous in there, while chatting with her ladyship. But mind, whatever she wants done I am going to ask a blessed high reward; and if she agrees, you’ve got to double it.” “The bargain is well understood,’ answered Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘“ But now tell us how you propose to introduce us into the castle: for we don’t want to stand the chance of being shut at like burglars.” “No fear of that, sir,” replied Chiffin. “ It’s on the western side that overlooks the river. The wall comes flush down into the water 7 “Then how the deuce are we to get in?” de- manded Mr. Gunthorpe. “ Why, you see, sir, the river’s quite shallow—not knee deep—all along just under the wall; and it goes shelving down so gradual that there’s no chance of getting out of your depth. Then there’s a pre- cious great tree that grows right up out of the bed of the river against some of the windows; and there’s a thundering big bough that goes right bang ‘across one of them windows—and it’s as easy climb- ing up that tree as if it was a ladder. You ain’t the thinnest person in the world, sir: but you can manage this here business with no more bother than if you was walking up-stairs. There’s a precious sight nastier tree than that to climb, I can tell you, gentlemen—a leafless one that they sometimes set up at the debtors’ door of Newgate ;”—and the Cannibal again sent forth that low deep chuckle which was horrible to hear. “Come, a truce to this jesting,” said Mr. Gun- thorpe sternly. During the above colloquy the two gentlemen and Chiffin had been walking hastily in the direc- tion of the castle. At the very moment that those last words had issued in a tone of rebuke from Mr. Gunthorpe’s lips, the report of a pistol from a little distance reached their ears. This was followed by a shriek in a female voice; and quick as thought, a second report of a pistol was heard. Then all was still. “Good God, what is that ?” cried Mr. Gunthorpe. An ejaculation likewise burst from Deveril’s lips ; and the two gentlemen, accompanied by Chiffin, rushed along the bank of the river in the same direction they were already pursuing—namely, to- wards the castle: for it was in that same direction whence the pistol-shots and the screem had ema- nated. In a few minutes they beheld something dark lying across the pathway ahead: another minute, and they distinctly perceived that there were two a | ECORNICLO® <S) (€©)