The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

THE SELLIS TRAGEDY 221 “And this was at ten on the memorable night?” said Lady Prescott, inquiringly. ‘Yes,’ responded Mrs. Bredalbane. ‘‘ The Duke of Cumberland, who had gone to a concert, returned soon after midnight and retired to his own apartment, where Neale was in attendance. Then all was quiet in the palace for a couple of hours. But at about half-past two o’clock in the morning the hall porter was alarmed by acry of ‘ Murder! ’ and starting up, he beheld the Duke of Cumberland in his nightshirt, which was covered with blood. Neale was with him, and Mrs. Neale, who slept by herself in another part of the premises, was instantaneously fetched. The alarm spread through the palace, and while one footman ran to summon the duke’s medical attendants, another went to call in the guard. The duke, leaning upon Neale’s arm, returned to his apartment, whither Joux, who had been roused by the alarm, speedily repaired. An inquiry was then made for Sellis. ‘ Go and tell him that his Royal High- ness has been well-nigh murdered,’ said Neale. Joux accordingly sped along the passage toward Sellis’s room, and on his way he was joined by Mrs. Neale and the porter. On opening the door, an appalling spectacle presented itself to their view. Sellis was lying dead upon the couch, his throat cut in so horrible a manner that his head was nearly severed from his body. A razor, covered with blood, was lying upon the floor. The body was completely dressed, save and except the cravat, coat, and shoes. It seemed as if the unfortunate man had thrown himself on the bed as one does when overexhausted or else when not feeling any inclination to retire to rest altogether, and that sleep had stolen upon him, — that sleep whence he was never to awake. The wash-basin was half-full of water stained with blood, and on the edge of the basin were the marks of bloody fingers plainly visible. The cravat was upon the toilet- table, the coat folded up and placed on a chair; the de- ceased’s watch was in the pocket at the bed’s head. That Sellis had been murdered was the conviction which instan- taneously struck Joux. The first glance which he threw upon the appalling scene showed him that this was no case of suicide, but a foul assassination.”’ “Heavens! ’”’ ejaculated Lady Prescott, in a tone of horror. ‘‘ Poor creature! Unfortunate man! ”’ Cconniclooolkks (C(O)