The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 361: what you’re looking at

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

330 THE COURT OF LONDON _- of rings on the fingers.. But while they were yet despoiling it, the mist was swept somewhat away by one of those sudden squalls which-often gush over the surface of Lake Leman, and the moonbeams poured fully down uPers the face of ‘the dead. Kjaculations of amazement burst petlehl ieee from the lips of the two fishers of men as ei at once re that countenance. “It is Smith, the Einglntertigaal said Kobolt. “ And ite murder has been done, his shirt-front is stained with blood. See, it 1s not slime, ae the water has not washed it out.. Ah! the blood is evidently flowing still, and the corpse is as fresh as it can be. Why, this must have been seid within an hour! ”’ “Come, don’t let us stand dallying. here,” outa ees nani, ‘‘ but drag the body underneath the pier until the eart comes.’ This they did, and then, as their curiosity was now eae Ws sharpened, they drew forth the other corpse just far enough into the moonlight to enable them to examine it closely. Their astonishment was enhanced even into dismay on at once recognizing the other Englishman, whom they knew by the name of Thompson, and who it was evident had like- wise been murdered. But the latter had been shot through the head, for the mark was upon the brow where the bullet had entered, and the skull was 5 Shattered where it had passed out again. ‘“Some fearful work has been done here this evening,’ said Kobolt. ‘‘ What can it all mean? How can it be?” ‘““T suppose,” replied Hernani, ‘“‘ that if we were to stand here conjecturing for a month we should not find out. But when I come to think of it, we ought to be grateful to those who have done the deed, Goa = a very little time it has put a handsome booty in our way.”’ ‘““ Hush! I hear footsteps advancing,”’ saddeele ejaculated Kobolt. Then, having hastily dragged back the corpse of Malpas under the pier, they peeped forth from behind the massive and crowded piles. The moonlight was still pouring down upon the scene, and they were thus enabled to observe a female form approaching the spot. The rays fell upon the woman’s countenance as she glanced quickly around in every ECORNICLIIOOKS (E@)