The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

THE MURDERER 217 the bedchamber. And the sound of this bell was heard like- wise by Ethel, to whom the intelligence was thereby con- veyed that the detection of Makepeace was complete. When Adolphus rushed into the chamber, the miserable murderer covered his face with his hands, groaning and sob- bing audibly. “He has confessed! he has confessed! ’’ shouted Slater, who was all the while pulling at the bell. ‘‘ Let us raise the entire household! Let every one know that the assassin is discovered! ”’ “Mercy! mercy!” groaned Makepeace, — as if it were possible that he would be allowed to escape, which was the only mercy that could be afforded by those who had him in their custody. ‘““ He has confessed the crime,”’ reiterated Slater. ‘‘ Heaven itself has at length brought it home to him. Wretched being, did you not know, did you not suspect that you walked in your sleep? ”’ “No, no!’”’ moaned the miserable man, evidently under the influence of the most appalling horror and consterna- tion. ‘“‘ Had you no idea,”’ continued the lawyer, with rapid and excited utterance, “‘ that you thus wandered about, that an invisible but irresistible hand guided you to the scene of your foul iniquity? ”’ ‘““My God, no!” groaned Makepeace, quivering with the indescribable horror of his feelings. ‘“ Blaspheme not, wretch!’ ejaculated Slater. ‘‘ Invoke not the sacred name of the Almighty, miscreant that you are! Had you no idea that — ”’ Several of the male domestics, who, as we have already stated, were roused from their beds, now entered the room; and the scene which burst upon them was eloquently ex- pressive of the truth. Makepeace was still upon his knees, his eyes glaring in wild horror; Slater still retained a hold upon him. Adolphus, with arms folded, was leaning against the bedpost, gazing upon the murderer with looks of deepest loathing and aversion. The fact that such a scene as this should occur in the very chamber where the foul tragedy had been perpetrated, was sufficient to strike the entering domes- tics with a full idea of its horrible significancy. ““ He has confessed the crime,” reiterated Mr. Slater, who CoOnnicloookKks (CO)