The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

218 REYNOLDS’ WORKS are stagnant, armour is heavy, and there is no use in trying to create a sensation on behalf of Roman pottery.” ‘Then how is the money to be raised? ’’ demanded Ben Limber; “‘ for if this new idea of yours is such a good one — But, I say, we have got to the bottom of the bottle, and there isn’t a weed left.” ‘““ My credit is good for a fresh supply of both,” answered Mr. Bealby, “ and as we are combining business with pleasure, we may as well keep up the discourse an hour or two longer. I will just run over the way — ”’ ‘“T rather think I will accompany you,”’ said Ben Limber, gslancing somewhat shudderingly around toward the skeleton andthemummy. “ I don’t exactly like the companionship.”’ “Mr. Bealby burst out laughing, and rising from his seat, he said, ‘‘ Come along, Ben. I’ve got a latch-key, and we can let ourselves out and in.” “ Holloa! what was that?” asked Ben Limber, turning somewhat pale as he glanced toward the door. ‘TI heard nothing,” responded Bealby. ‘‘ What did you fancy it to be? ”’ | “Only some strange noise. I say, who lodges overhead? ” - “The landlady and the servant,” replied Bealby; ‘“ but they have been in bed a long time, and are by no means likely to listen. However we shall soon see.” Thus speaking, he opened the door, and paused for a few moments on the threshold, but all was still. - Come along, Ben,” he said, in a whispering tone, so as not to disturb the landlady. ‘‘ We sha’n’t be many minutes in obtaining a fresh supply, and then we can make a regular night of it.” The two friends accordingly stole gently down-stairs, but at the same time footsteps were still more silently descending from the upper story, and the Burker made his way into the museum of curiosities. He had penetrated through an un- occupied attic into the house and he had been listening at the door to all the latter part of Mr. Bealby’s discourse. It was his temporarily retreating footsteps which had alarmed Ben Limber. The Burker had heard sufficient to inspire him with the hope that the museum would furnish him with some disguise, and now that the coast was clear, he had taken the liberty of penetrating into Mr. Bealby’s archzological sanctuary. ECORNICLIOOKS (E(0)