The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

MOTHER BAMBRIDGE’S ESTABLISHMENT 241 other lurking hole. As it is, all suspicion is completely set at rest; they flatter themselves they had to do with a couple of gentlemen who were really tipsy, and rest assured that having watched us out of the alley, they are lulled into the completest security. Such is the result of our having suffered ourselves to be robbed so quietly, as you express it.” “And what do you think Mother Bambridge went up- stairs for to the villain’s room? Or how can you tell that it was his room at all? ’’ asked the nobleman. “ Of course I can but surmise,’’ responded Stanley, “ and upon this surmise we must act. She doubtless went up to him to bid him be in readiness in case his services should be required to help in dealing with us. When she went out the second time to fetch in the bullies, it was really to the front _ parlour she proceeded, for I listened to the course that her footsteps took.” ‘““ Now, what is your plan? ’”’ inquired Lord Charles Mer- edith. | Captain Stanley rapidly explained it, and his noble friend unhesitatingly agreed to succour him in carrying it out. The little colloquy that we have described brought them to the extremity of the narrow street which they had entered, and which ran parallel to the alley. A very few minutes’ ob- servation showed them that the house which was imme- diately behind Mother Bambridge’s establishment was a small chandlery shop, and Stanley observed to his noble friend, “‘ This is all the better for our purpose, because a money-making tradesman of a mean and peddling descrip- tion will forgive us for awakening him if we slip a five-pound note into his hand.” “I do verily believe, my dear fellow,’ answered Lord Charles, “‘ that you have forgotten the little circumstance of our purses being left behind in the adjacent alley.” “No, I have not forgotten it,” responded Stanley, and drawing forth his pocketbook from the breast of his under coat, he displayed a roll of bank-notes. They now knocked at the door of the chandlery shop, and in a few minutes a head with a cotton nightcap on was thrust from an upper window. The owner of the head and the nightcap was about to give vent to his indignation at _ being knocked up by a couple of rakes, as he thought, out upon their nocturnal frolics, but a few quickly uttered words ) GOmiilGaooks (CO) im