The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 362: what you’re looking at

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ee eee I 43 TAKE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. of his book with as much calmness and composure as if nothing extraordinary were on the apis: but at about hal{-past nine o’clock he prepared to sally forth,—having previously, however, given some special instructions to his housekeeper rela- five to the mode in which a certain person was to be received during his absence, Meantime the Hangman, the Buttoner, the Mushroom Faker, and Bob the Durrynacker, were all assembled at the dark crib in company with Bencull. This precious company were seated in that same room at the back to which our readers have been previously introduced; and the table was as usual covered with the materials for drink- ing and smoking—or, as the men themselves ex- pressed it, “a regular booze.” * Well, do you still think your blowen is staunch in this matter ?” asked the Hangman, addressing himself to the Buttoner. “T have no reason as vet to think otherwise,” was the response. * But of course, after the tricks she has already played us, it is impossible to say. She ought to be back by this time; and then we shall see what she says.” “ And if she did mean to betray us in any way, how should we know it?” asked Bencull. ‘“ She can’t betray us into Sampson’s power for anything particular we are doing at this moment,” observed the Hangman. “All the harm she can do, is to put him up to snuff respecting our inten- tions towards him; and in that case of course he won’t come down and hide himself in the gallery.” At this moment a knock was heard at the street- door; and Bencull, hastening to answer the sum- mons, gave admittance to Nell Gibson. The young woman entered the back room with her wonted calmness and self-possession. Indeed, there was no reason why she should look or feel otherwise ; inasmuch as so far from contemplating any treach- ery in the present instance, she had faithfully and as she believed, successfully, performed her part in the drama now in progress. “Tt is all right,” she said, taking a seat next to the Buttoner. “ Larry Sampson, having nibbled at the bait for the last three weeks, has now swal- lowed it completely; and he will be in that gallery at eleven o'clock to-night.” _ And you don’t think he suspects anything, Nell 2” said the Hangman inquiringly, as he looked at her intently from beneath his overhanging brows. “Jf am sure he does not,” she answered, with perfect composure. “ Or if he does, then is he the greatest adept at concealing his thoughts that I ever saw in all my life.” “ Well, of course, he is all that,’ growled Ben- cull; “but I should have thought that you was more experter still, Miss Nell, andso you might have seen whether he took it all in for gospel or not.” “Again I tell you,” said the young woman, now speaking somewhat impetuously, “that as far as I could possibly judge, Larry Sampson believed I was performing a real part. But I suppose that after what occurred on Shooters’ Hill, you mean to suspect everything I do, and every word I speak? Now, then, I tel! you again, and for the last time, that you are wrony! I tried to save Huntingdon because he was the first man—in fact the only man I ever loved: and what I did the other night I dare say,” observed the Hangman. would do over again; for I wouldn’t have a hair of his head injured. But in other matters I would die sooner than betray you—yes, by God! I would die first.” And having worked herself up to a pitch of powerful excitement, she struck her clenched hand so forcibly upon the table that bottles and glasses and tobacco-pipes all danced and rattled as if the floor o: the room was upheaving with an earthquake. “Come now, Nell, none of this nonsense,” said the Buttoner: “we ain’t suspecting you at the | In fact han’t we promised to | present moment. look over what you did t’other night on Shooters’ Hill, if so be we saw that you proved faithful in the little business now in hand?” “Well, and you wiil see too,” returned Nell Gibson sulkily. “But I suppose you don’t want me to wait any longer ?” “No,” replied the Buttoner: “you can be off and get back to Mother Young’s. There’s enough of us here to do the business without you. But here—take a drop of summut short first :”—and he handed her a glass of spirits. “Well, here’s success to you,” said Nell, her good humour returning—and she tossed off the burning alcohol: then replacing the glass on the ~ table, she took her departure. “JT raly don’t know what to make of that gal,” said the Buttoner after a brief pause. “I have been her flash man for the iast three weeks, and can’t understand her yet.” “She’s as deep and artful as the devil,” said Bencull, “and that’s why I first of all recom- mended her in this job. But if so be she should turn her artifice against us——-” “Then, by Satan! she shall suffer for it,” ex- claimed the Hangman, rising from his seat and ~ buttoning up his coat. “ Aye, that she should,” said the Mushroom Faker. “ And I would help to do for her,” added Bob the Durrynacker. “Well, we shall know more about it presently, I “And now I am off up to Long Acre to call at Larry’s and see if I can get hold of the police book. I hope when I come back in two or three hours or so,” he added, with alook ominously ferocious, ** I shall hear that Larry Sampson is deep down at the bottom of the ditch.” Then jerking his thumb significantly over his shoulder towards the window, the Hangman put on his hat and gquitted the room. Bencull, the Buttoner,the Mushroom Faker, and the Durrynacker now remained together at the dark crib, smoking and drinking, and conversing on the business which they hadin hand. Once or twice Bencull went out to the street door, to as- certain, as he expressed himself, “what sort of a night it was;” and returning on each occasion to his companions to report that the moon was com- ing out clearer and brighter, they with one accord regretted that it was not pitch dark, considering the enterprise they had in progress. For although none of the inhabitants of Jacob’s Island might be supposed to be over particular, yet it was some- what too serious an affair to have the eyes of neighbours catching a glimpse of any murderous proceeding by the aid of moonlight. But this ’ : : ; | | i ee Sn GOmiGoooks (E)