The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRISONER IN THE CHAIR 147 “In a moment, all in good time,” exclaimed the prince, still with a smile upon his countenance as he surveyed the man who cut such a piteous figure, with his looks made haggard by a night of restlessness, and whose aspect was not improved by his matted hair and unshaven chin. “ Now, is it really possible,” continued his Royal Highness, “ that any girl in the service of Lord Leveson took a fancy to so singular a gentleman as you are? ”’ ‘She pretended to, at all events,” replied Coffin; “ but don’t you see, it was only to amuse herself by enticing me into this trap.” “And right well must she have been amused, too,” rejoined the prince, still with a bantering tone. ‘ But do you know, my good fellow, that if any one asked me seriously and solemnly to guess who you are, I could not possibly fall back upon any other hypothesis than that you are Jack Ketch.” “And by Satan!” exclaimed Coffin, with another grim smile, “‘ your Royal Highness wouldn’t be far short of the mark, and that’s plain enough! ” “Heavens! don’t talk so horribly,’ cried Ernestina, becoming very pale. “Well, ma’am,” continued Coffin, “the prince wants to know who I am, and as I am very certain he won’t betray me, I tell him candidly and openly that I am — or at least was — Jack Ketch, until that cursed affair down at Mrs. Owen’s — ”’ ‘““ Ah! is this possible? ” ejaculated the prince, who at first thought the fellow was joking when he acknowledged himself to be the public executioner; and the countenance of his Royal Highness now became suddenly stern and severe. ‘“‘ Let us liberate him and send him about his business,”’’ said Ernestina, catching the prince by the arm and gazing on him with a look of entreaty. “Yes, and the sooner he gets out of my sight, the better,” exclaimed George. “‘ But, no!” he suddenly ejaculated, as a thought flashed to his mind. ‘“ This fellow may be of service to us,’’ he added, in a musing tone. Then, drawing Ernestina to the farther end of the room, he said, in a low whisper, ‘‘ With this scoundrel’s codperation, our plans relative to Dysart would be made secure and safe enough.”’ COM a LOOKS (CO)