The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

30 THE COURT OF LONDON usually impassible features, as she darted a glance of tigress- like ferocity toward Julia. “A tragedy?” groaned the unhappy Mr. Page, cowering as it were beneath the dreadful menace, while his wife now began to show symptoms of uneasiness, although she said nothing. ‘Yes, a tragedy,’”’ echoed the Gallows’ Widow, stirred by her vindictive feelings to a pitch of excitement that was rare indeed with her. ‘‘ But we have not come to that stage in the drama yet. For the present we mean to content our- selves with all your money and all your valuables. So you would do well to produce them willingly, or we shall take them by force.”’ ‘‘T have but a few guineas in my purse,’’ murmured the wretched Mr. Page. ‘I don’t know how much Julia may have in her pocket — ”’ “There! that’s all!’”’ ejaculated his wife, petulantly, as she flung a purse upon the table. ‘Four quid, two bulls, a half-bull, a kye-bosh, and three tanners,”’ said the Kinchin-Grand, as he emptied the purse into the palm of Carrotty Poll’s hand, and thus elegantly and classically enumerated the four sovereigns, the two crown pieces, the half-crown, the shilling, and the three sixpenny pieces, which formed the contents. “Now make him open his writing-desk,” exclaimed Shickster Sal, pointing contemptuously toward her mas- ter. ‘‘ But stay, Ill fetch it,’”’ and she hurried from the room. In a few moments she returned, bringing with her the writing-desk, which Mr. Page was compelled to open; and while the Gallows’ Widow and Carrotty Poll were ran- sacking it, he looked on with the air and feelings of a man who is about to be hanged. ‘‘ Ah, there’s the flimsies! ”’ ejaculated the Kinchin-Grand, as Elizabeth Marks drew forth a bundle of bank-notes. ‘‘ How many is there of them delicate-looking bits of paper? ”’ ~ “ More than a thousand pounds altogether,’’ replied the Gallows’ Widow, after deliberately examining the notes. Then, as she secured them in the bosom of her dress, she turned toward Shickster Sal, saying, ‘‘ Where else are we to look? ”’ ‘“You’re taking the plate, of course?’’ observed this CONMIEIOOKS