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.

44 THE COURT OF LONDON In a few hurried words, however, and in a whispered tone, Taggarty explained to them the object of the officer’s visit, whereat they were profoundly surprised; but the chandler did not vouchsafe to inform them that Sampson’s liberality had extended to a hundred guineas. He was afraid they might claim shares, the matter having reference to the Foundling, in whom they were all interested. He therefore coolly and quietly suppressed an 0, thus reducing the reward from 100 guineas to 10 guineas. Having given these few hurried explanations, he unlocked a drawer, took out a brown-paper parcel, and was about to descend to the parlour again when Daniel Coffin clutched him abruptly by the arm, saying, in a hollow whisper, ‘“* Bill, are you man enough to do me a service? ”’ “* What do you want?” asked Taggarty, recoiling, with an instinctive shudder; for the Hangman’s meaning flashed in 2 moment to his comprehension. ‘Larry Sampson is below,’’ replied Coffin, “‘ and those who might have seen him come in won’t be waiting to observe if he ever goes out again,’”’ he added, with a look of diabolical significancy. ‘No, no, I couldn’t do it, Dan’el, I couldn’t do it,” answered Taggarty, his countenance becoming pale as death, and his knees trembling under him. ‘“‘ Coward! ”’ ejaculated the Hangman, with bitter ferocity, as he pushed the chandler away from him. Then, instantly observing the malignant expression of vindictiveness which appeared upon Taggarty’s countenance, he said, “ Come, don’t be angry, Bill, I didn’t mean it. But you must make allowances for one placed in such an infernal predicament as I am.” ‘Yes, pray don’t think any more of it, Bill,” said Sally Melmoth, in a tone of earnest entreaty; and Dick also endeavoured to propitiate the chandler. “You needn’t suppose I should betray you, Dan’el,”’ observed Taggarty. “ But will you help me to — to — ”’ ‘To make away with Larry Sampson? No!” And with this emphatic reply, the chandler quitted the room. Descending to the parlour, he again carefully closed the door of the staircase behind him, and resuming his seat, CORNICE OO KS sO