The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

THE DISGUISED ONE 97 “ Well, yes, I do. know the way,’ replied the Burker, rendering his voice as soft and oily as he possibly could, “but if so be you’re a stranger in London, sir, I should advise you to take a cab —”’ ‘The fact is, sir,” interrupted Jonathan, “‘ I am walking on principle. It is the first time I was ever in London, and I want to know something about it; therefore I like to find my way on foot, and if I lose it, I inquire it.”’ “ Quite right, sir, quite right,” said the Burker. ‘“ But you ought to take care of yourself, — I mean of your pockets, you know —”’ ““ And so I do, sir,’’ answered Jonathan Carnabie. ‘ I’ve read in books and I’ve also been told that London abounds in queer characters, but I keep my money for the most part at my lodgings, and just come out with as much as I think I may require.’’ “ Quite right, sir,” again said the Burker. ‘“ I happen to be going a part of your way —”’ “In which case,’ said the old sexton, “I shall be happy to avail myself of your guidance. Excuse me, sir, but I saw at once that you were a respectable man, or else I should not have taken the liberty to address you.” ‘“ Quite right, sir,” said the Burker, who now that he had got hold of a particular phrase harped upon it, for he thought that it had helped to make this favourable impression. They walked along together. Mr. Barnes was satisfied that his disguise was complete, and from the moment that Jonathan Carnabie had mentioned the money at his lodgings, the Burker experienced an irresistible inclination toward his wonted practices. He saw no reason why he should not fleece the sexton if possible, and moreover he experi- enced a sort of pride and an inward gloating satisfaction at the thought of being thus able so effectually to deceive the old man in respect to who he really was. ‘““Have you been long in London, sir?’ inquired the Burker, speaking slowly, and measuring his words as much as possible, for fear that he should let out any favourite ex- pression of his own and which might raise Carnabie’s sus- picions. “Only a matter of three or four days, sir,’ responded the sexton. ‘‘I presume you live in London, sir? ”’ “ Yes,”’ answered the Burker; ‘‘ I’m a man of business —”’ EOMINIGIOOKS (CO)