The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

270 REYNOLDS’ WORKS delay. I shall walk slowly through the village in the direction of the churchyard.”’ “But would it not be better, sir,” inquired the landlord, “to take pistols with us? ”’ ‘“T have them,”’ rejoined Mr. Redcliffe; and unlocking a mahogany case, he produced a pair of small double-barrelled rifle pistols, which he at once secured about his person. He then issued forth from the room, and leaving the inn, proceeded slowly along the street. In a few minutes he was joined by the landlord, who intimated that he had with him a cord which would effectually bind the miscreant’s limbs when he should be captured. He carried in his hand a stout staff or bludgeon, but Mr. Redcliffe said to him, ‘‘ We must take the man alive; it is not for us to anticipate the blow which justice has to deal.’ ‘* And if in self-defence? ”’ said the landlord. ‘That is different,’’ replied Mr. Redcliffe. ‘* And pray who may this man be, sir? ”’ ‘You have heard of the dreadful murder at Liverpool several months back; you know probably that one of the assassins escaped — ”’ ‘“ What! the notorious Barney the Burker?’”’ ejaculated the landlord. ‘The very same,” returned Redcliffe, ‘‘ and doubtless you have seen him, too. Know you the assistant of your sexton here? ”’ ‘“ Well,’”’ exclaimed the landlord, stopping suddenly short, “af I didn’t always say that the fellow had the most hang- dog countenance — ‘““Come quick!’ exclaimed Redcliffe, ‘‘ or another murder may be committed ere our object be accomplished. si They walked on together, and on coming within view of the old sexton’s cottage, they perceived a light glimmering through one of the ground floor windows. At that very instant the form of a man passed in front of that window, obscuring the light for a moment, and Redcliffe again said, “Come quick! ”’ The cottage stood in the midst of a little garden, separated by a low paling from the lane by which it was approached; the shed occupied by the Burker was in a yard at the back. The lane itself was bounded by a hedge, which ceased at the commencement of the paling; and there, within the shade CORNICIOOKS (E(0)