The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

136 REYNOLDS’ WORKS seat, said, in an anxious voice, ‘‘ Now tell me all that has oc- curred.”’ ‘It’s short and sweet, my lord,” replied the Burker, “‘ and I’ve no doubt will give your Grace the utmost satisfaction. Yesterday 1 kept watch in the garden of the lady’s willa, but I had no opportunity of striking the blow. On t’other hand, I had plenty of time to admire her beauty, and I don’t mind telling your lordship that it well-nigh unsettled me alto- gether. Well, my lord, circumstances last night made me change my disguise, and now I’ll just ask your Grace’s candid opinion which suits me best and which I look most genteelest in.” : ‘A truce to this nonsense!’’ interrupted the duke, im- patiently. ‘ Proceed. I am in a hurry.” “All right, my lord,’ resumed the Burker. ‘“ This arter- noon I returned to the willa, and I soon saw her ladyship walking in her garden. She had company with her, and so I was again compelled to wait. But arter awhile she came out to walk alone, and then I drove my good clasp-knife so deep into her buzzim that she dropped down with scarce a groan.” ‘This is true, — you are not deceiving me?” said the duke, quivering with anxious suspense. ‘‘ How am I to know that you have done this? ”’ | ‘Send and inquire, if you like, my lord,’’ answered the Burker, with brutal flippancy. ‘‘ Or Ill be bound to say you'll read all about 1t in to-morrow morning’s paper.”’ ‘And you are certain that the blow was surely dealt? ”’ demanded the duke. ‘Look you, my lord,”’ responded the Burker, drawing out his clasp-knife. ‘‘ This blade is a long one, it went right down to the handle; here’s the marks of blood upon it, and here’s my ankercher, which I wiped it on as I rushed away from the spot.” ‘Enough! ” ejaculated the duke, averting his eyes from the sickening evidences of the crime which had been com- mitted at his instigation. ‘“‘ T hadn’t failed to observe that the Lady Indora, or what- ever her name was,”’ continued the assassin, “‘ walked about with the whole contents of a jeweller’s shop crowded on her person and dress, and I did mean to help myself to a few of them trifles. But just arter the blow was struck, I heerd footsteps coming from the direction of the willa, and as the CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)