The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

FINALE OF THE SYCAMORE EPISODE 9) hand as a bribe for the representation of the gentility of Messrs. Smith and Noakes. “TI think I had better see them,” said Mr. Sycamore, whose perturbation — amounting indeed to anguish — was so plainly visible that the waiter fancied he beheld therein the confirmation of his fears, and the two young gentlemen began to exchange suspicious looks. ‘‘ Where are they?’’ inquired Sycamore, as the thought suddenly struck him that he would pass into the next room, put on his hat, and decamp as quickly as his legs would carry him. ‘‘ They are on the landing, sir,’’ responded the waiter. Mr. Sycamore’s countenance grew terribly blank as he at once comprehended that the avenue of escape was thus completely closed; while the circumstance that Messrs. Smith and Noakes preferred waiting outside the door rather than being shown to his sitting-room fearfully confirmed all his worst terrors. Nevertheless, he had still sense enough left amidst the anguished confusion of his thoughts to com- prehend that the two individuals who sought him were evidently disposed to conduct their proceedings in as delicate a way as possible, and whatever might happen, he himself had no inclination to excite the scandal of exposure. “Tell them I will come immediately,” he said, and he filled a bumper of champagne in the hope of giving himself courage and deadening the frightful horror of his thoughts; but the wine, which a few minutes back had flowed like nectar down his throat, now appeared to remain there as if against the impediment of the feelings which well-nigh suffocated him. ‘What the deuce does it all mean, Sycamore?’”’ asked one of the young gentlemen, the instant the waiter had left the room. “Is it a case of tapping on the shoulder? [If so, make use of me. I’m your man for a few hundreds.”’ “And I also,” exclaimed the other young gentleman. “ Always stick by your friend, and never say die till you’re dead. That’s my motto.” It was with a ghastly look that Sycamore endeavoured to Say something with a laugh of forced cheerfulness, but horribly apprehensive that those who awaited him would lose all patience and come in to seek him if he tarried any longer, he hurried from the room. On the landing he beheld the self-styled Messrs. Smith and Noakes, and one of them CORNICLOOKS (CO)