The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

42 THE COURT OF LONDON his first impulse was to repair straight to that mansion, and warn the Earl of Desborough of the presence of the enemy. But a second thought showed him the imprudence of losing sight of an individual of whose aims and purposes he was still so far ignorant as to render it desirable that he should dog him step by step; and Meagles accordingly resolved to continue watching the movements of the resuscitated criminal. Fortunately for his purpose, a lad connected with the public-house passed along the road while Meagles was thus deliberating within himself; and the liberality with which Tim had remunerated the dependents of the little inn on the former occasion of his visit to the neighbourhood had made a sufficient impression upon the boy’s mind to lead him now to the immediate recognition of so bounteous a patron. He accordingly touched his cap by way of salutation, and inquired whether Meagles was going to stop at the inn. ‘“< Yes,”’? answered Tim. ‘ But I have come down here on business of a very private nature; and I want to speak to the landlord before I approach any nearer to his house, as he has got a very suspicious character there. Now, my lad, do you go on as quick as you can, and, without saying anything to alarm the inmates of the place, tell the landlord to come to me directly. I shall wait here in the lane.”’ With these words, Meagles tossed a crown piece to the lad, who hastened away to execute the commission entrusted to him. In about ten minutes the landlord made his appear- ance, with a somewhat elongated countenance; for the message which the lad had whispered in his ear was not of & very reassuring character. ‘“ My good fellow,” said Meagles, leaping from his horse, ““ you need not be alarmed, as I am here on purpose to pre- vent mischief. In fact, I am a Bow Street officer in disguise; and I am watching the individual who has just alighted | from a post-chaise at your house.”’ “What! is such a respectable-looking gentleman a bad character in reality? ”’ inquired the landlord. ‘“ He is indeed,’’ returned Meagles. ‘‘ Did you never see him before? ”’ ‘“ Never, to my knowledge,” was the reply. ‘ Who is he, sir? ”’ “That does not matter now,” rejoined Tim. ‘ You may perhaps learn by and by. But what is he doing now? ”’ e CONNIE NOOO KS