The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

TWO FRIENDS 225 and intimate friend the Duke of Marchmont must dub up for it all.”’ ‘““] was just thinking,” said Bealby, ‘‘ whether I could not give you some such disguise that you might be able to get out of the house at once— JBut here’s Ben Limber re- turning.” Mr. Limber had taken the latch-key with him, and he was therefore enabled to let himself in. He quickly made his appearance in the room, and his countenance indicated that he had intelligence of importance to communicate. “The shindy’s began,” he hastily said, the instant he had closed the door of the apartment. ‘“‘ There’s a running to and fro betwixt the police office and the station, and I heard one of the constables say in consternation, ‘ He has es- caped!’ ’’ ‘Then it is out of the question,” said Bealby, addressing himself to the Burker, “ for you to think of leaving this house to-night. There will be a strict watch throughout the entire neighbourhood.”’ ~ * But how shall I be better off to-morrow,’’ demanded Barney, “‘ than I am to-night? ”’ “Tt 1s very certain you will not be worse off,’ rejoined Bealby, ‘‘ and it will be very strange if we cannot think of some contrivance for your escape. Won’t it be strange, Ben? ”’ “I should rather think it would,” ejaculated Mr. Limber. ‘““ And yet I don’t very well see how — ”’ ‘““ Well, I see everything,” cried Bealby, as an idea struck him; but what this idea was we need not immediately explain; it will transpire presently. | Meanwhile the escape of the Burker had been discovered; Ben Limber’s information in this respect was perfectly ac- curate. A constable had visited the cell, — first of all, how- ever, only opening the little trap-door and throwing the light of his bull’s-eye inside. But his astonishment and consterna- tion, on perceiving that the prisoner had vanished, may be more easily imagined than described. -To raise an alarm was his first proceeding; then, on being joined by two or three other constables, he opened the door of the cell, and the truth became apparent. The mode of the Burker’s es- cape was at once evident. The inspector was speedily fetched from the station on the opposite side of the street, EOMINGIOOKS (C(O)