The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 344: what you’re looking at

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

THE CRIME 313 “ What should prevent us from getting in at the window? ”’ asked Jack Smedley. ‘‘ It looks on the back yard — ’’ ‘‘ Winders be hanged!’’ ejaculated the Burker. “‘ If he sleeps light, he would be sure and hear the noise of the winder lifting up, and if so be it’s fastened, there’s the chance of smashing the glass in cutting out a hole with the glazier’s di’mond to thrust one’s fist in and unfasten it. No, no, that’s not the dodge. Don’t be afeard, ma’am,’’ continued the ruffian, addressing himself specially to Mrs. Webber, “‘T’ll soon have the key out of the lock, and no mistake.’ ‘“‘ How? ” inquired Jack Smedley. ‘“ Never do you mind; you'll see all about it byme bye. But we must do nuffin for an hour or s0, till the covy’s fast locked in the arms of Murphy. So now for a booze and blow- ing a cloud.” An hour and a half were passed in drinking on the part of all, combined with smoking on that of the male portion of the miscreant gang, and when the kitchen clock had proclaimed midnight, the Burker knocked the ashes out of his pipe and drained his glass. ‘“‘ Now for business,” he said, rising from his seat, ‘‘ Come, Jack, you will go along with me; so let’s take off our boots. You,” he added, turning to Mrs. Smedley, ‘‘ must come to hold the candle. You, ma’am, — and you two lads, — must wait down here till you’re wanted? ”’ Barney and Jack Smedley took off their boots, and Mrs. Smedley, with the chamber candle in her hand, led the way from the scullery. Noiselessly and cautiously did the three wretches ascend to the first floor, — the old woman and the two lads remaining below. With such stealthiness did the Burker and the Smedleys mount the stairs, that not a board creaked, and Bab was careful that her garments should not even rustle against the wall. On reaching the landing, the Burker bade Mrs. Smedley hold the candle near the key- hole, but so shade it with her hand that the light should not penetrate through into the chamber. He then applied his ear to the keyhole, and listened with breathless attention. Perhaps a person less experienced than the ruffian was in such matters would scarcely have succeeded in ascertaining that the inmate of the chamber slept, but Barney had made all these sorts of things a particular study, and there was no detail requisite for the working out of a successful iniquity, EGOMIIGIOOKS (C(O)