The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 220: what you’re looking at

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

THE CELL 197 turning to the threshold of the door. ‘“‘ You ought to be ashamed of yourself to treat his lordship in this manner.”’ “ His lordship?’ ejaculated the Burker. ‘‘ How did I know he was alord? You said fust of all he was a genelman.”’ “It is no less a personage than his Grace the Duke of Marchmont,”’ replied the inspector, ostentatiously. ‘“‘ Well, a duke may do a poor devil some good,” said the Burker, “so here goes. Just put your fingers, my lord, in- side my veskit, right underneath this cussed old gabardine, and there you'll find a slit in the linin’.”’ ‘The duke, handing the bull’s-eye to the inspector, ad- vanced toward the prisoner, and affected to be fumbling amongst his garments in search of the place of concealment which had been described. But it was in reality from the waistcoat pocket that he took the ring, and turning toward the inspector, the nobleman displayed it with a look of joyous satisfaction. “I congratulate your lordship,” said the official, who was himself highly delighted with what he conceived to be the successful result of a proceeding at which he had materially assisted. “Much as I am horrified at this man’s character and crimes,” said the duke, ‘‘ yet if there be any way in which I can temporarily ameliorate his condition while he is in this place — ”’ ‘There is nothing, my lord, which you can do in that respect,’ answered the inspector. ‘‘ He will be removed by the earliest mail-train to-morrow morning to Liverpool, and in this cell must he remain until the hour of departure.’ ‘‘ Well, then, there in nothing I can do for him,” observed the duke. Then turning to the Burker, he added, “ Un- happy man, I hope you will repent of what you have done.”’ Having thus expressed himself with a monstrous hyp- ocrisy and = oreiar waves, the Duke of Marchmont issued from the cell. ‘You shall have hot water almost immediately,” said the inspector, pausing for an instant ere he locked the door. “ 'Thank’ee,”’ answered the Burker, ‘‘ but it’s too late now. I'd much rayther be left to go to sleep quietly, if so be I’m to start off so thundering early in the morning.”’ “But you require food before you go to sleep,” said the inspector. CORnNICLOoOkKS (CO)