The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

192 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ”’ To be sure, my lord,”’ replied the inspector. “Then you can tell me whether a diamond ring,’”’ continued the duke, ” was found about him, — a ring set with a single diamond? ”’ | “No, my lord,” answered the inspector. ‘ A very con- siderable sum of money in notes and gold was found upon the prisoner, but nothing else of any value. May I ask why your Grace —’”’ ‘“'To be sure,” ejaculated the duke, with an air of most con- descending frankness; ‘“‘ a few words will suffice to explain the matter. I happened to be passing this afternoon through the very identical street where the pretended Jew was sub- sequently arrested, and believing him to be really what he seemed, I stopped to give him alms. For this purpose I took out my purse, and in so doing drew off my glove. I bestowed some small coin upon him, and continued my way. Scarcely had I reached the end of the street when I missed a diamond ring from my finger. [ felt tolerably certain I must have un- consciously drawn it off along with my glove.” ‘“ No doubt of it, my lord,’”’ observed the inspector. “T hastened back to the spot, where I found the seeming Jew still standing, and I asked him if he had observed a diamond ring lying in the street after I had left him. He answered in the negative, but it struck me at the time there was some confusion in the fellow’s manner.”’ “No doubt of it, my lord,” said the inspector; “ your Grace may depend upon it that the scoundrel found the ring.” “ That is what I have come to ascertain,” said the duke. ‘“‘ But if it were not discovered upon his person — ”’ ‘“‘ Nevertheless, my lord, he has got it,” interrupted the inspector; ‘‘ rest assured he has got it.” ‘“ Got it!’ said the duke, affecting a bewildered air. “To be sure, my lord,” rejoined the official. ‘‘ Of course your Grace is ignorant of the tricks these scoundrels are up to, but there can be no doubt that he swallowed the ring.”’ ‘You don’t say so!”’ ejaculated Marchmont, now putting on a look of immense astonishment. “Or else, perhaps,’’ added the inspector, “‘ it 1s just pos- sible that he may have so cleverly concealed it in some part of his dress that it escaped the notice of the constable who searched him.” CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)