The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

THE CATASTROPHE 115 ‘‘ Did I say Bertram’s? ”’ exclaimed Clandon. ‘ No, no, I recall the word — Not for worlds would I impute — No, no, I did not say Bertram’s.”’ The two domestics exchanged looks of continued horror, but now blended with dismay and grief, for they both felt that Lord Clandon, having in the suddenness of agonized amazement let drop his brother’s name in connection with the dagger, was now generously seeking to recall the word, so as to save that brother from the dread imputation and its consequences. ‘“‘T will ride back to the house,” said his lordship, ‘‘ and procure assistance. But no, I should fall from the steed. I have not strength. Go, one of you. It is my duty to remain here, and watch over the corpse of my poor uncle.” Leachley, the deceased nobleman’s valet, accordingly mounted the horse, and sped back to the mansion. Most of the male domestics were abroad, searching for their mas- ter and mistress, but some few, who had overslept them- selves, were still at the house, and of course all the female servants were there. The intelligence which Leachley brought was but too well calculated to overwhelm all who heard it with consternation and grief. A carriage was speedily gotten in readiness, and Leachley accompanied it back to the spot, where Lord Clandon and the butler had remained in charge of the corpse. This was now placed inside the vehicle, which returned at a mourning pace with its sad burden to the mansion. It was not till the lapse of some hours that the domestics who had been on the search — including Travers, Lord Clandon’s valet — came back to the mansion, and as they returned one by one, it was to hear the afflicting intelligence of the duke’s murder. We should not omit to observe that the remains of poor Pluto were likewise taken to the mansion, and when a veterinary surgeon had examined into the exact nature of the wound of which the faithful animal had died, the body was buried in the garden in the midst of a parterre of flowers. On the following day the county coroner arrived at Oaklands, to hold an inquest over the corpse of the de- ceased duke... A jury, consisting of tenant farmers and of the principal householders of the village, was summoned for the occasion. The butler and Leachley deposed to the discovery of the corpse by the side of the pond. The dagger Com (-) LOOKS (E(O)