The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

THE CATASTROPHE 113 sion, but Leachley and the butler had not proceeded above a few hundred yards, when they heard a dragging noise and a panting, gasping, moaning sound behind. They turned, and beheld the wounded dog. The poor animal, having been forgotten in the hall when the domestics dispersed in such excitement at Lord Clandon’s bidding, had dragged himself forth, for he was not quite so near death as his exhausted condition and glazing eyes had seemed to indicate. ‘“ Poor Pluto,’ said Leachley, caressing the faithful dog. ‘“See how he looks up,’”’ exclaimed the butler, ‘‘ as if asking us to come on.”’ ‘““Yes, there is some meaning in those eyes, in those half-moaning, half-howling sounds.” ‘‘ Let us speed onward,’’ said the butler. The dog now kept in advance; it appeared as if he acquired strength as he went on, as if he were conscious of having some special task to perform, for which all his best energies were put forth. But still continued that prolonged wailing howl,—that lugubrious moan which sounded ominous as a death-knell itself on the ears of the butler and Leachley. On they went, and in proportion as they seiieed: Pluto’s pace quickened, his moan became more rueful, he kept looking up at the two domestics, as if entreating them to follow on still and not go back. They themselves ex- perienced the appalled sense of men who felt that every step they took was bringing them nearer and nearer to the solution of some horrible mystery. Presently Pluto dashed forward, around a bend in the road, looked back for an in- stant to see whether the men were following him, and then disappeared from their view. But a few instants brought the butler and Leachley around that bend, and they at once descried a dark object on the edge of a pond by the roadside. Pluto, moaning and whining with all the plaintiveness of a human voice, was crouching near that object. A few instants ‘more, and the two domestics reached the spot. Then what a frightful spectacle met their view. Their master, the Duke of March- mont, lay dead before their eyes, —foully murdered. A dagger, with which the deed was accomplished, remained between the shoulders, where it had been driven deep down. The unfortunate nobleman lay upon his face on the edge of EORNICLIOOKS (E(O)