The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

WOODBRIDGE 271 of that hedge, Mr. Redcliffe and the landlord paused to reconnoitre the premises. Some one was knocking at the door with his knuckles; they had no doubt it was the same person whom they had seen pass by the window, they sus- pected it might be the Burker, but they could not be sure, for there was a little portico formed with trelliswork and covered with jasmine, in the deep shade of which stood the person who was thus knocking at the cottage door. The Burker however it was, and we will for the present follow him and his proceedings. His coat was buttoned around him, and beneath it he had a crowbar concealed. The fellow had thought to do his murderous work thus early in the night, — for it was little more than half-past ten, — in order that he might have many hours in which to place a considerable distance between himself and Woodbridge ere the foul deed should be discovered. As for Crazy Jane, if he found her not wandering in the neighbourhood after the accomplishment of the crime which he meditated, he would abandon his projects in respect to herself altogether, rather than waste valuable time and run additional risk by searching after her. Barney the Burker knocked, as we have said, at Jonathan Carnabie’s door. The old man was reading in his little parlour when the summons reached his ear, and taking up the light, he proceeded as far as the door, which he did not, however, open. ‘Who is it?’ he asked from within. ‘“‘Tt’s me, sir,”’ replied the Burker, and his voice was heard by Mr. Redcliffe and the landlord, the latter of whom im- mediately recognizing it (for he had on one occasion spoken to the man) intimated the same in a low, hurried whisper to Mr. Redcliffe. “Come,” said this gentleman, also in a whispering tone, ‘let us creep stealthily along the paling,’’ for he knew that if the fellow’s suspicions were excited, he would at once turn and fly. ‘And what do you want?” asked Jonathan Carnabie from within. ‘“‘There’s a message just come down from the willage,”’ responded the Burker, ‘ and the boy which brought it is avaiting here to speak to you hisself.”’ ‘* And how came you up at this hour? ” inquired Jonathan, COMMICLOO© cS (CO