The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XX THE RESULT It was a little after midday when a short, elderly, bustling gentleman, accompanied by one of the Dover police con- stables, entered the Admiral’s Head, and proceeding straight up to the bar, inquired for the landlord. Old Marshall, who from the window of his parlour behind the bar imme- diately observed the visitors, and of course guessed their errand, came forth with the coolest self-possession imagi- nable, and the police officer at once said, ‘‘ Mr. Marshall, we want to have a few minutes’ conversation with you, if you please.’ “To be sure; step in here,’’ responded the landlord, and he accordingly admitted the bustling gentleman and the constable into the bar-parlour, where his wife and three daughters were seated. “ But if it’s private,” the old man immediately exclaimed, “‘ we can go into another room.” The constable looked at Mr. Marlow, — for he the gentle- man was,—for him to give an answer, and the London solicitor at once said, ‘‘ I presume these ladies are of your family? ”’ ‘““ My wife and daughters, sir,’’ responded old Marshall. “Then there can be no harm in my putting before them the questions which I have to ask. In a word, do you happen to have an individual, or, to be more explicit, a woman in male attire, beneath your roof? ”’ ‘‘ Well, I never! ’’ whispered Miss Kate to her sisters, but purposely loud enough to be heard by the lawyer and constable. “A what, sir?’’ exclaimed old Marshall, affecting the utmost astonishment. “ Well, then, I see that she is not here,’’ observed Mr. 214 GOMIGDOOKS (Q) (E(O)