The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 303: what you’re looking at

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

272 REYNOLDS’ WORKS still without opening the door; not that the old man had — any reason to suspect a sinister motive on the part of his assistant, but his long habit of self-seclusion, and perhaps the little circumstance that he really did possess a small hoard of gold had rendered him particularly cautious. ‘“‘T didn’t feel inclined to sleep,’ answered the Burker, “so I took a walk through the churchyard to make sure there was no body-snatchers; and as I was a-coming back, I met this here little boy.”’ ‘“ All right,’’ answered Carnabie; and the door opening, the old man was discerned, carrying a candle in his hand. The Burker at once pushed himself in; then there was a rush of footsteps immediately after him, the crowbar dropped from beneath the coat which the miscreant, thus suddenly startled, had unbuttoned in readiness, and in the twinkling of an eye a pistol was levelled at his head, while in his ear resounded the terrible words, ‘“‘ Surrender, or you are a dead man! ”’ It was Mr. Redcliffe who had seized upon him with one hand, while with the other he presented the weapon. The landlord — who was either confused by the suddenness of the proceeding, or else whose vaunted courage became paralyzed in a moment at the sight of the ferocious counte- nance of the Burker — fumbled to produce the cord from beneath his garments, but though close at his leader’s heels, he did not render prompt succour in securing the villain. With one terrific howl of rage the Burker burst from Mr. Red- cliffe’s grasp, at the same time dashing from his hand the pistol, which instantaneously exploded, without, however, accomplishing any mischief. The dilatory or dastard land- lord was dashed violently to the ground, as the Burker sped past with the fury and power of a mad bull. ‘Stop, or I fire! I have another pistol!’ ejaculated Redcliffe, who had not been hurled down, but merely thrust violently against the door-post. The Burker made no response, nor did he obey the man- date, but on he rushed with a speed that was almost incredi- _ble. Mr. Redcliffe pursued him, calling the landlord to join in the chase. Without waiting to see whether he were obeyed, Mr. Redcliffe darted forward, at the same time drawing forth his remaining weapon, which he did not, how- ever, immediately use. But finding that the assassin, goaded CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)