The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

THE ARCHAOLOGIST 247 “Do you mean to go with us?”’ he hastily demanded of Mr. Fossilton. ‘To be sure,’’ responded the archeologist, who would not for the world lose sight of the precious object which had already cost him so much trouble. “Then jump up. Be quick about it,’ said Mr. Bealby, “and let us be off, or else we shall have more loiterers collecting in the hope of beholding another accident.”’ The cart drove away, and Mr. Bealby began to breathe more freely. He had succeeded in getting the Burker out of his house, and this was a most important achievement after all the adverse circumstances which had occurred. For he knew perfectly well that if it were discovered that he had harboured the escaped murderer, he would have drawn down upon his own head the vengeance of the law. How the Burker might presently extricate himself from the embarrassing position in which he would be placed, when Fossilton should proceed to take off the green baize wrapper, was a subject of comparative indifference with Mr. Bealby, for he was resolved in his own mind not to return to his lodging until by some means or another he should be satis- fied that the adventure issued in a way which was not likely to compromise himself. Mr. Fossilton’s house in Tavistock Square was reached in safety. The old gentleman was a bachelor; he kept but two servants, — one being a cook, who was more ancient, more blind, and more deaf than himself, the other being a country girl who acted as housemaid, and who being in- experienced in London life was devoid of any impertinent curiosity. There was a side entrance to Mr. Fossilton’s abode, and it was here that the cart halted. The package was safely conveyed into a room on the ground floor, which served as the archezologist’s museum, the carter was liberally remunerated according to promise, Mr. Bealby lost not an instant in taking himself off, and Mr. Fossilton was now left alone with the baize-covered package, which had been deposited upon the floor in the middle of the room. First of all locking the door, so that he might not be disturbed by the entrance of any of those archeological friends who were in the habit of frequently dropping in to discuss the very interesting and useful subjects to which they so wisely devoted the whole attention and business of EOMINGIOOKS (CO)