The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 361: what you’re looking at

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

346 —-—-— me that I had witnesses to the contrary—or else, if I had been seen lurking about in these parts “Witnesses?” ejaculated her ladyship. “Do vou mean mo to understand that you brought any of your companions or friends with you?” “Nothing of the sort,’ inte rupted Chiffin. * But I will tell your ladyship all about it “The murder? ‘Speak of that first. Who has been murdered? and what mean you by a double murder ?” “YT mean what I say—that there is two young women lying dead—or at least I left them there— on the river’s bank, both killed with pistol-bullets. I heard the report; and so did-two gentlemen that , | ascertain what object they had in view. So I pre- was there at the time.” “ And you would have me believe,” said her lady- ship, now fixing her eyes with a still more peculiar look than at first upon the Cannibal, “ that this is not your work ?” . “Tt’s so like mine that your ladyship can’t very easy believe it isn’t: but it isn’t though for all that.” *“ And these women? You say that you have left two gentlemen upon the spot——” “T have got a little tale to tell your ladyship; and then you will see,” continued Chiffin, * that I ama right staunch, trustworthy kind of a fellow. But first of all you must tell me what you wanted me down here for—and all about it.” a “T do not require your services just at present,” | answered Lady Saxondale. changed. But of course I shall reward you for your trouble; and it may be that in two or three weeks I shall need your aid. I will however write to you again. Here, take this packet: it contains a recom- pense which I have no doubt will satisfy you. And now what have you to tell me ?” “Of course,” replied Chiffin, taking the little parcel, and weighing it for a moment in his hand so as to calculate the probable amount of gold it might contain, “your ladyship will consider that what 1 am going to tell you is worthy of a farther reward ?”’ “ Go on, go on,’ interrupted Lady Saxondale impatiently. ‘‘ Yeu have already received sufficient proofs that I know how to behave liberally.” “ Well, you see, ma’am,” resumed the Cannibal, “ t’other night two gentlemen came to me at So- lomon Patch’s house in Agar Town, and very per- litely introduced themselves as Mr. Gunthorpe and Mr. Deveril——” “Ah!” ejaculated Lady Saxondale, with a visible start ; and her face, already pale this night, grew paler still. “But proceed. What did they require of you P” “They told me that Mr. Deveril was at Gains- borough when your ladyship posted that note to me —that he saw it posted—and that he knew it was you that posted it—and what’s more, too, he saw the address.” “ But this is absolutely impossible!” cried Lady | I will write to you. * Circumstances have . THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. continued Chifin; “and they further stated shat for certain reasons of their own they were uncom mon anxious to see the contents of the letter. So, as there was nothing particular in it, I did show it to them.” “ You showed it to them?” ejaculated Lady Saxondale angrily, and also in terror. “ Well, I thought it best: they seemed so positive that you had written it—and I couldn’t possibly deny it.” * But what in heaven’s name must they think now ?” murmured Lady Saxundale in accents of despair. * Don’t you see, ma’am, I was acting in your in- terest? I wanted to draw the gentlemen out, and tended to tumble into their schemes; and they said that whatever reward you offered me for doing what you required, they would double it. Then they said that they should come down here into Lincolnshire, and I must manage to make them overhear what was to take place betwixt you and me, Now you know how it was they were in these parts to-night. But a very few minutes after I had joined them, we heard the report of pistol-shots: we rushed along the bank, and found the two dead bodies. Then the gentlemen got trightened at my being with them: they didu’t think me quite respectable enough, I suppose—and so they bundied me off at once, giving up their scheme of getting iuto the castle. At first I thought of cutting away out of the neigh- bourhood as hard as I could: but then I reflected that it was better to come and see your ladyship, and tell you what is in the wind in respect to Mr. Deveril and Mr. Gunthorpe. So I made a cireuit and got back again to the castle—and that’s all I have to tell you. Now, if your ladyship thinks this is worth anything “Yes: you know [I shall reward you,” inter- rupted Lady Saxondale, impatiently. ‘“ But did you really mean to introduce these personages into the castle P” * Well, to speak the truth,” answered Chiffin, “I should have done so: but then I should have took uncommon good care to tip you a wink, or drop you a word in a whisper, not to talk on any serious business. The fact is, I wanted to see this matter out with them two gentlemen ; and that’s all about it.” Lady Saxondale said not another word; but draw- ing forth her purse, which contained notes and gold, she emptied it into the Cannibal’s hand. His eyes glittered with’a horrible reptile light, as he thought to himself that what with the money he had re- ceived from Mr. Gunthorpe, and the two separate sums he had just obtained from Lady Saxondale, oe Bed made an excellent evening’s work of it. ‘And so, ma’am, you have nothing more for me to a to-night?” he resumed, as he ‘consigned the money to his pocket. “Nothing. When I need your services again, You will do well to get out of Saxondale, in mingled amazement and consternation, | this neighbourhood as quick as possible.” “ You are deceiving me—you have betrayed me !” “Oh, well—if that’s your opinion, Cannibal gruffly, “ I may as well be off.” “No, no: proceed with what you have to say. Go on—I will not interrupt you again.’ “T mean to do so. Thank you for the advice, ” observed the | ma’am: I have no inclination to get took up on sus- picion of doing what I didn’t do.” “But one word more,” said Lady Saxondale. “It is probable that Mr. Gunthorpe and Mr, “ Well, ma’am—that’s what the gentlemen sad,” Deveril may seek you out again, If so, can I rely