The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 351: what you’re looking at

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

318 THE COURT OF LONDON out to procure the money which he had to send to the Count- ess of Curzon. He had not so much in his banker’s hands, for, in fact, he had overdrawn considerably of late in order to minister to her extravagances, as we have already informed the reader. But he had plenty of other resources, and had no fear of experiencing any difficulty in obtaining the amount by the hour named. Meantime, the instant the money-broker went Bi Theo- dore Varian penned the following note to the Earl of Curzon: ‘‘ At three o’clock to-day a parcel containing bank-notes to the amount of five thousand guineas, and addressed to the countess, will be left at your lordship’s house. The sum is intended to be sent over to the King’s Bench to release Colonel. Malpas from prison. The parcel will either be given into the hands of Gertrude, or of the hall porter, and to no one else. ‘“‘ Your lordship’s humble servant, 66 |. as In about half an hour the office-boy, who had been upon some errand, returned, and Varian then had an opportunity of slipping out for a few minutes. Giving the note to a ticket- porter, he charged him to repair with all possible speed to Grosvenor Street and deliver it into the hands of the Earl of Curzon himself. The messenger hurried away to execute his commission, and Theodore returned into the office, chuckling at the incident which had thus transpired to gratify his vindictive feelings toward Emmerson. In the meantime Gertrude had retraced her way to Gros- venor Street and had communicated to the countess every- thing that had taken place in Nicholas Lane. “ With all his infatuation for me,” said Editha, in atone of mingled spite and disgust, ‘‘ this money-making citizen is particularly careful of his own personal interest and safety. He will not compromise himself in any way with Colonel Malpas, but he will allow me to be made the catspaw and tool in the matter.” “My dear lady,’’ said Gertrude, ‘‘I saw through the money-broker’s meaning all the time. In fact, his artifice is covered with a veil so exceedingly flimsy that it would be impossible not to penetrate it at once. ButI appeared Gomicboo CS (E(0) m