The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

112 REYNOLDS’ WORKS moment to have strengthened into the conviction that there had been some accident or foul play during the past night, and of which their master was the victim, else wherefore had the dog come back alone? ‘“ But what has he in his mouth? ”’ asked one. At this moment Lord Clandon, followed by Travers, made his appearance in the hall. ‘Good heavens! what is the matter?’”’ he exclaimed, the instant he caught sight of the wounded dog, who now sank down in utter exhaustion, its eyes closing apparently in death. ‘‘ Where is the duke?” inquired Clandon, as if smitten with the same terrible idea that had already seized upon the domestics. “Oh, my lord, we know not,” responded Leachley, in a mournful voice, ‘* but we dread — ”’ “ What? the duke has not returned,’’ ejaculated Clandon. ‘Oh, my poor uncle,’ and he seemed violently affected. ‘“ But what is that which has fallen from Pluto’s mouth? ” ‘It is a piece of cloth,’’ said one of the servants, stooping down and picking it up. “Ah! evidently torn out of a coat,’ ejaculated another. “Good heavens, what does all this mean?” exclaimed a third. ‘Something dreadful, I fear,’’ added Leachley, with a shudder. ‘“Disperse yourselves in every direction,’’ exclaimed Lord Clandon, powerfully excited. ‘‘I will take horse and gallop along the main roads. Travers — Travers, I say. Why, the fellow was here a few moments back.” Travers was not, however, in the hall at this moment, and Lord Clandon hastened up to his own chamber, where he found his valet. The orders he had given to the servants were promptly obeyed, for they scattered themselves in every direction, some singly, others going two together. A horse was pres- ently saddled for the use of Lord Clandon, who was speedily ready to avail himself of it. | The butler and Leachley, the duke’s own valet, went together on the exciting expedition, and they took the road leading to that hamlet which the duke had set out to visit, as he had stated to the domestics in the middle of the night. It was, as already stated, two miles distant from the man- Gomichboo Ss) (E(0)