The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

THE BORROWED COSTUME 131 without standing the chance of having the looks of imperti- nent curiosity riverted on oneself.” As he thus mused upon his wrongs, the Burker pursued his way, and on looking at the clock in a baker’s shop, which was not as yet shut up, he found that he had a good half- hour’s leisure before keeping the appointment on which he was bent. He therefore resolved to procure some refresh- ment, for many hours had elapsed since either food or drink had passed his lips. He entered a low public-house which he knew of old, but where he was tolerably certain he would not be recognized in the costume he now wore. There were five or six villainous-looking ruffians drinking in the tap- room, which was clouded with tobacco smoke; and the Burker, shrinking with ail a Jew’s wonted timidity into the obscurest corner, kept his countenance as much averted as possible while he ate the bread and cheese and drank the beer which he had ordered. A rapid glance swept over the company had made him aware that two or three of the men were personally known to him, but it by no means suited his intentions to reveal himself or claim their acquaintance. The company, on their part, were not particularly surprised with the presence of one whom they took to be a Jew, for at that public-house of which we are speaking there was at times a congregation of a variety of characters. Neverthe- less the conversation was temporarily suspended when the Burker entered and glided into the corner, but it was speedily renewed again. “Well, what about that there business, then, Toby? ”’ inquired one of the men, thus addressing a companion. ‘“ Why, you.see, Thomas,’ was the response, ‘‘ he made the old fellow as drunk as a fiddler, and no doubt hocussed his grog.” ‘““ Yes, you told that just now,” interrupted the individual who had previously spoken. ‘ But did they know as how it was the Burker? — my eyes! what a gulp of heavy wet that old Jew has just took! ’’ he added, in a lowered voice. ‘“ How did they know it was the Burker?’’ proceeded Toby. ‘“‘ Why, because when the old feller came to hisself this morning, he recalled to mind everything wot had took place, and then he recollected the partickler way in which his friend of the previous night had spoke and wot a rum sort of lingo he had. He even wondered it hadn’t struck him EGOMIGIOOKS (CO)