The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

MR. PAGE AND MR. HODSON 49 on the preceding evening; and when he had told his story, he felt relieved of a heavy load. “So it was the Magsman which stopped you — eh?” observed Mr. Grumley, in a musing tone. “ You see it’s all right and straightfor’ard enow, sir,” he continued, turning toward Mr. Hodson; “and your traveller really has been robbed. I don’t think he’s told no lies about it,’’ added the officer, expressing the opinion with as much coolness as if it were a high compliment paid to Mr. Page’s honesty. ‘ What can be done in the case? ”’ inquired the merchant. ‘We must see,’”’ was the vague and general answer. “ I’ve long been on the lookout for Joe the Magsman; but he’s the cunningest dog in all London, as well as one of the most desperatest. As for the young woman he talks of sending to manage this business to-night, she’s his mistress. The ‘Gallows’ Widow,’ they call her, because her husband was hanged a couple of years or so back; and she’s wore weeds ever since — not on account of any partickler love she had for him, but because black clothes makes one look more respectable and is a better dodge to carry on business in her line. . It would be a blessed thing to break up the whole gang, for there’s a lot on ’em as Is in league with the landlord of the Beggar’s Staff.” ' “Tam sure that Mr. Page will render you all the assistance in his power,” observed Mr. Hodson; “ and in that case I can promise, both for ’self and partner, that his harum- scarum imprudence of last night shall be overlooked. It is a duty we owe to society, to lend a helping hand in ex- terminating such dreadful miscreants as these of whom you have been speaking.”’ ‘Well, if so be Mr. Page has pluck enough to enter into the business, we can manage it, I’ve no doubt,” said Grumley, swinging one of his legs backward and forward, and surveying the movement with infinite complacency. ‘‘ Be you agree- able, sir?’ he asked, suddenly raising his head and fixing his small gray eyes inquiringly on the commercial traveller. '“ Certainly he is,” hastily exclaimed the merchant, with- out allowing the principal party concerned to speak for himself. ‘‘ Are you not, Mr. Page? ” ‘Oh, decidedly, sir,’’ responded this individual, summon- ing to his aid as much courage as he could command; al- though, in the secret recesses of his soul, he did not at all COME OOO SS (GO)