The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

174 REYNOLDS’ WORKS summation of that crime. Greedy of gold as he was un- scrupulous in conduct, he seriously reflected whether it would not be worth his while to remain in London until the night, obtain an interview with the duke, and ascertain his views on the subject. Barney was of dauntless courage in pursuing his career of crime, and his many adventures of the last few months, his escapes, which he termed his ‘‘triumphs,”’ together with the success which had hitherto attended the assumption of his disguises, had tended to em- bolden him to an almost reckless extent. His mind was therefore made up; he would remain in London until the night, at all events, and if the duke acceded to his proposal, he would undertake the new venture, or rather, we should say, the fearfully correct perpetration of the one originally confided to him. It by no means suited the Burker’s disposition to remain indoors all day at the public-house, and moreover such a circumstance in itself would look suspicious. He felt con- vinced that he was disguised in a style impenetrable to the eyes of the detectives, and there was a sort of thrilling pleasure in thus setting their keenness at nought. He therefore issued forth; but speedily becoming wearied of wandering about, he bethought himself of an expedient which promised some little amusement, and which at the same time would enable him to sit down and rest for hours on some convenient spot. The idea was one which had been suggested during his conversation with Jack Smedley at the time he assumed the Jew’s dress at that individual’s lodgings, and this idea was to procure a small tray and some pastilles. The articles were speedily purchased, and behold, at about two o’clock in the afternoon, the Burker settled himself on the doorsteps of an empty house in one of the thoroughfares at the West End of the town. While there stationed, Barney the Burker reflected upon many things, and amongst others, upon his most recent proceedings in respect to Jack Smedley. ‘‘ Jack’s a nasty, cowardly dog,”’ said the Burker to him- self, ‘‘ or else he wouldn’t have played me such a scampish trick as that, — getting hold of my blunt and bolting off like a shot! But I was even with him, though; I precious soon made the scoundrel disgorge, as the sayin’ 1s. Nevertheless, he is a dirty rascal, and if he could have his revenge, he CORNIClIIOOKS (E(0)