The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 363: what you’re looking at

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= ——— nnn THE MYSYIERIES OF TH COURT. ee risk must however be run; and the four rufiians made up their minds accordingly. After repeated references to a huge silver watch which he carried in his fob, Mr. Bencull at last in- timated that it was now eleven o’clock; and the Buttoner was just suggesting that they should wait another quarter of an hour before rushing out into the gallery, when a knock was heard at the street door. “Who can that be?” said Bencull, in a tone of vexation. “Perhaps old Jeremy Humpage—or the Swag Chovey Bloak——” “ Well, whoever it is,” interrupted the Buttoner, ‘he mustn't be let into our secrets. Tell him there’s summut wery partickler and private going on vs “Oh! leave me to make an excuse,” growled Bencull; and taking up the light he went to the door. But no pencan describe the mingled aston- ishment and dismay which seized upon _ him, when the flickering rays of the candle fell upon the countenance of Mr. Lawrence Sampson! CHAPTER XCI. THE RESULTS OF THE PLOT. “An! Bencull, how are you?” said the Bow Street official, in an easy off-hand manner. “The fact is that I wanted to have a word or two with you, and thought this as good a time as any.” Thus speaking, Mr. Sampson unceremoniously entered the house—passed by Bencull—and pro- ceeded straight to the room at the back. Bencull, recovering somewhat from his astonishment, hastily shut the door and followed close behind,— the light which he carried revealing the person of the new-comer to the Buttoner, the Mushroom Faker, and the Durrynacker. “hese individuals were as much astounded as the landlord of the place had been, on beholding the object of their murderous purpose thus familiarly and coolly appear before them. He was attired in his usual manner, and had his hands thrust into the depths of his capa- cious breeches’- pockets. Entering the room and throwing himself leisurely upon a chair, Mr. Sampson glanced around him with a peculiar smile, observing, * Well, there are no strange faces here. Ihave had the pleasure of being acquainted with every one of you for a long time past—personally at least, if not to speak to.” There was a slight accent of irony in his tone and a similar expression in his look; so that the four ruffians exchanged dubious and inquiring glances with each other, as much as to say, * What on earth does all this mean?” Indeed, they knew not what to think nor what to do; but with a sort of consternation upon them, they awaited in silence for Larry Sampson to explain himself farther. “Now, my good frieuds,” resumed the ofiicer, pushing his chair back against the wall so that no one could get behind him, and then lounging in it with an easy and confident manner, as if he felt assured that though in the lion’s den, he was per- fectly safe ;—“ now, my good friends,” he repeated, “don’t you think that all your united wisdom— especially when cembined with that of Daniel er — ee eS eee ee o+9 Coffiu—should have devised some scheme more feasible and likely-looking than this clumsy affair which you have trumped up to ensnare me ?” “Trapped, by goles!” exclaimed Bencull, his countenance becoming black as thunder. “Nosed upon, as sure as fate!” muttered the Mushroom Faker. “Done brown!” added Bob the Durrynacker, also in an under-tone. “ Perdition seize that Nell Gibson!” murmured the Buttoner between his set teeth, as he clenched his hands with convulsive violeace,—his mind being already intent on a horrible revenge for what he supposed to be the perfidy of his mistress. “Need I tell you what ridiculous figures you cut?” resumed Larry Sampson, secretly enjoying their confusion: “but I only wish that your ac- complice Nell Gibson was here to see how com- pletely all her artifices have been penetrated by me. As for your friend the Hangman, I suppose he has gone up to my house in the hope of obtain- ing possession of my secret register. He will be miserably disappointed,” added the officer drily. “You are talking the Chinese langvidge, Mr Sampson,” growled Bencull, endeavouring to put a good face on the matter, if possible. “ We don’t understand you: there ain’t no plot—no scheme— no nothink « * Denial is useless, my good fellow,” interrupted the officer. You expected that I should be con- cealed in the gallery outside here at eleven o'clock: but instead of that, I thought it would be better to drop in as I have done, and teil you to beware in future how you plot againstme. After the glimpse which the Hangman obtained of my secret book one day, he should have known that there are few things done in London which escape my know- ledge: and perhaps you will be surprised when I tell you that the origin of the fire at Sir Douglas Huntingdon’s House a week ago is known to me ” “Then, by goles!” shouted Bencull, starting from his seat, “ there’s no doubt as to who——” “No doubt at all!” exclaimed the Buttoner, dashing his clenched fist violently against the table. “Patience, patience,” said Larry Sampson, coolly. “1 tell you that it is vain and useless for you to conjecture how I obtained my information. Every crime committed in London is known to me; and the authors of it are likewise known: but it doesn’t always suit my purposes to bring them aé once to justice :”—then fixing his eyes upon Ben- cull and the Buttoner, he said, “ You two men and Daniel Coffin were the authors of that fire at Sir Douglas Huntingdon’s! You forced an entrance into the stable with the intention of breaking into the dwelling-house; but the light fell from your lantern, and the place was soon in a blaze, Is this true? or is it not? Fools!” ejaculated Larry Sampson, contemptuously ; “if such a mysterious circumstance as that is known to me in all its details, how do you think that this miserable cluinsy murder-plot of your’s could escape my knowledge?” Bencull aud the Buttoner now exchanged looks of gloomy alarm: for they felt persuaded that they were about to be apprehended on account of the burglary and fire at the Baronet’s;—while the Durrynacker and the Mushroom Faker likewise fancied that such was to be their two comrades’ a A nnn nnn mmm ea GOMIGoIoOO (C S (CO)