The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 350: what you’re looking at

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

THE SAFE AND THE CASH-BOX d19 up to the spot, and it proved to be the dashing phaeton belonging to Lord Rushbrook. ‘‘ By Heaven! the scoundrel Lascar who robbed me the other night!’ ejaculated the viscount, giving the reins to his groom, and springing into the road. ‘He is no Lascar, my lord,” said Christian, ‘‘ but an English scoundrel in disguise. His speech has just be- trayed him.’ ‘“‘ Ah! is it you? ”’ exclaimed Rushbrook, now recognizing Christian. ‘‘ By Heaven! this is a bold feat which you have evidently performed. Here, let me fasten a hold upon the villain likewise.” Rushbrook, although naturally a coward, was now brave enough when he saw that the work was already done for him, and he took a firm grasp of the Burker’s garments; for we need scarcely inform the reader that he was the individual of whom we are speaking. Christian likewise kept hold of him, and they made him get upon his feet. “Well, I say,” growled the Burker, “ this is a pretty pickle for an honest chap like me to be placed in. But blow me, if this meeting isn’t a queer one!’’ Then turning to Rushbrook, he added, as he looked him very hard in the face, ‘‘ What about that there safe and the kesh-box? ”’ The viscount’s hands suddenly quitted their hold upon the Burker’s garments, as if those hands were paralyzed, and he staggered back a pace or two. At the same instant, by one desperate jerk, Barney released himself from the hold which Christian Ashton had upon him, and in the twinkling of an eye he had darted right through the hedge with the force of a cannon-ball. Our hero flew after him, but stopped short at the hedge, for it was a barrier which he did not choose to attempt the bursting through after the same fashion as the escaped robber. “What did he mean, my lord?’ demanded Christian, somewhat indignantly, and with still greater astonishment, as he turned toward the nobleman. “I can’t for the life of me understand,” replied Rush- brook. ‘It was a sudden pain which seized upon me —”’ “It is excessively provoking,’ cried our young hero, “after the trouble I took and the risk I incurred. But he said something about a safe and cash-box.”’ “ Did he?” inquired Rushbrook. ‘ Well, I did not CORNICLOOKS (CO)