The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

THE CELL 191 to his mansion in Belgrave Square, at the same time depos- iting his card upon the counter to indicate who he was. But while the shopman, having made many obsequious bows on reading the name upon the card, was making out the receipt, the duke abstracted a file from the counter and concealed it in his pocket. As a matter of course this theft was not perpetrated for the miserable purpose of evading the pay- ment of a few pence for the file. The large purchases which the duke had made were merely a pretext for his visit to that shop, but it did not suit his purpose to include a file amongst those purchases. He therefore stealthily helped himself to one. Issuing from the shop, the duke returned into Covent Garden Market, in order to pick up whatsoever fresh in- formation he could in respect to the proceedings at Bow Street; and he now learned that the Burker, having ad- mitted his name and identity, was under order of removal with the least possible delay to Liverpool. The duke how- ever found that another case, namely, that of Jack Smedley, was occupying the magistrate’s attention, and that great crowds were collected in the court and in the street. He ac- cordingly loitered about the neighbourhood until this case was terminated and the crowds had dispersed; he then re- paired to the Bow Street police office and inquired for the magistrate. But his worship had just taken his departure, and the duke was referred to the inspector. On being conducted into the inspector’s room, the Duke of Marchmont gave his card, and at once experienced the most cringing civility. ‘“‘ Being in Covent Garden Market,” said his Grace, assum- ing a careless, off-hand manner, ‘‘ I happened to hear that a notorious criminal disguised as a Jew had been this afternoon arrested in a particular street at the West End of the town. Now, I have astrong reason for wishing to have asight of this individual, if fit be not in contravention of your rules or regulations.” ‘“‘ Certainly, my lord,” answered the inspector, with a low bow, ‘‘ you shall see the man. But might I ask — ’” ‘“ Oh, yes, there is no secret in the matter,’ responded the duke, with a smile. ‘‘ I was about to explain myself. The fact is — But, ah, doubtless, now I bethink me, the pris- oner’s person was searched? ”’ CORnNICLOOKS (CO) im