The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 355: what you’re looking at

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

302 THE COURT OF LONDON grew so contused I was at a loss what to do, and, inventing some excuse, —I really forget what, —I left the room, not once looking back, for I felt convinced that the old hag was staring after me with her nasty gray eyes.” ‘“T dare say it was all fancy on your part, Poll,’”’ said the Beggarman. “ The crone’s ways were peculiar, p’raps — ”’ “Well, it might be so,” interrupted the young woman; “but I didn’t stop to make those reflections at the time. To tell you the truth, I was glad to get away; for I began to think that the nurse would alarm the house, and the landlord might keep me till he could send for a constable. Well, I left the room, as I told you. This was about an hour ago, and as the Mariners’ Arms is an early breakfast- house for labourers and colliers employed at the docks and wharfs, the potman was taking down the shutters. There was a light in the bar; and just as I was going out, who should come in to get a morning dram, but Joe Warren.” “He was up betimes, at all events,’ observed the Big Beggarman. ‘‘ Of course he recognized you! ”’ “To be sure, In a moment,” answered Poll; ‘‘ because he has often seen me decked out in this way. Before I could give him a look to prevent him from speaking to me, he asked what the deuce was going on, and insisted on my taking a drop of brandy with him. Then the talkative pot- man began to inquire of me how the gentleman up-stairs was; and the fellow gabbled away at such a rate that Joe Warren heard quite enough to make it impossible for me to tell him any lies about it. He followed me out; and I thought the best plan was to explain the whole matter to him, just for all the world as if neither you nor me ever meant to keep it a secret. He said he didn’t care much about Ramsey’s affair, and told me to mind and tell you to put away his share of the five hundred guineas; as everything relating to the Aylesbury bankers was a matter in which he had his claim for ‘ regulars.’ I assured him that you had already done so; and the business was thus made square enough. He then ordered me to have Meagles and Lady Lade set at liberty the instant that I returned; and he said that you needn’t trouble yourself about Ram- sey, as he’ll attend to him. WHe also observed that he in- tended to make a call this evening in Pall Mall — you know ECORNIE OOO KS (EO)