The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

THE ARCHAOLOGIST 245 ‘Tt is all nonsense about crying down the mummy, and all falsehood that the cobbler told you, just because I happened to owe him for a pair of shoes. Pray don’t interrupt me. I see that you think the mummy to be worthless; you are prejudiced — Well, let it be granted that it is an imposture. I at least took it for a genuine article. However, it was not the one you were going to have sent up to you —”’ “How? What do you mean?” demanded Mr. Fossilton. “ You bought the mummy in the glass case, and there it is, ready packed to be sent to you. I said so from the very first — ”’ | “Ah! but you afterward denied it,” said Mr. Fossilton; ‘“you told me likewise you had packed other things in the glass case — ”’ ‘‘ All nonsense on my part,’’ ejaculated Bealby. ‘“‘ You saw that young gentleman who was with me, — the one who went and fetched the cart? Well, he came to buy amummy, — this was last night, — he took a fancy to the one in the glass case, and offered me fifty pounds forit. I agreed, but I did not mean to let him have it; I intended it all along for you. I meant to give him another, — in short, that very one that the hubbub has just been about. But he came early this morning to secure his bargain, you came shortly after, you both bewildered and confused me —I scarcely knew how to act — ”’ ‘Ah, ha,” said Mr. Fossilton, ‘I begin to understand! So the real mummy — my mummy — is i. that glass case after all? ”’ ‘Yes, and you may take it away with you at once,” said Bealby; “‘ the cart is at the door. Stop! there’s no need to go peeping through the baize. MHere’s your twenty pounds, examine the mummy as much as you like when you get it home at your own house, consult all your friends, and if I have deceived you, tell me I’m a rogue. But if not, send me the money by post, or by hand, or bring it to me, — anything you like, only be quick and let us make an end of the business.”’ , Mr. Fossilton evidently thought this a very fair, candid, and straightforward proposal. He therefore took back the bank-notes from Mr. Bealby, and said, “‘ Well, I accept the arrangement. You know I am a man of honour, if the mummy suits, I will pay you.” EOMIGIOOKS (CO)