The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

TWO FRIENDS 227 was an idea of fire, and attic windows were thrown open in consternation and dismay; but the constables speedily re- assured the frightened ones and made them acquainted with the reason of so much disturbance. Amongst the terrified persons to whom we have just alluded were the landlady and the servant of the house in which Mr. Bealby dwelt; but on receiving the intelligence that there was no alarm of fire, and that the constables were merely in pursuit of a prisoner who had escaped, they retired to their respective couches again. We may add that the drawing-room story of that house, namely, the floor just under Mr. Bealby’s apartments, was unoccupied at the time; the ground floor consisted of offices where no person remained at night, and thus, besides the land- lady and her servant, there was nobody within the walls of the dwelling to be disturbed by the proceedings of the police. It was now certain that the whole neighbourhood was closely watched by constables, and it was therefore impos- sible for the Burker to attempt an escape. It became abso- lutely necessary for him to remain in Bealby’s apartments till the morning, when the idea which the archeological gentleman had already formed to effect his safe issue might be carried out. Mr. Limber was anxious to get away and seek his bed in an attic which he occupied in some neighbour- hood a couple of miles off, but Bealby would not let him depart. “ Deuce a bit, Ben!” he said, in a hurried whisper to his friend. ‘‘ You and I must remain together until this fellow is safe out of the house. Though I am not afraid of him as long as I am awake, I don’t choose to stand the chance of falling off to sleep if left alone with him. We will drink and smoke till morning, Ben.”’ Mr. Bealby had found the opportunity of whispering these few hasty words while the Burker was paying his respects to a half-quartern loaf and one-third of a Dutch cheese which had been set before him, and as many hours had elapsed since food passed his lips, it was with a terrific appetite that he now consumed the only fare which the archeological gentleman’s larder (or rather cupboard) afforded. “Now,” said Bealby, when Barnes had finished his meal and had washed it down with a copious draught of gin and water, “ you can step into that back room, stretch yourself on the sofa, and take a good nap. My friend and I purpose CORnnICLOoOKS (GO) im