The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 385: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXVIII THE BANK-NOTES TuE great City merchant was for almost the first time in his life in one of those moods which are utterly uncon- genial for the reception of visitors, but the occupants of the carriage had already seen him in the grounds, and it was therefore impossible to deny himself. The carriage stopped, the twins and Mr. Redcliffe alighted, and Sir Frederick Latham advanced to welcome them. The merchant maintained his wonted demeanour; no one could have suspected that anything unusual had oc- curred. After some little discourse he requested Christian and Christina to ramble about the grounds and gardens at their pleasure, while he remained conversing with Mr. Redcliffe. The twins were glad of the opportunity to leave the two gentlemen together, for they knew that Mr. Redcliffe proposed to make a particular communica- tion to Sir Frederick Latham. Accordingly, after a little more conversation on general topics, Mr. Redcliffe said, “ Sir Frederick, I think it my duty to inform you of something which happened the night before last, and thereby to put you on your guard against a character who is evidently of a very desperate description, and who appears to be lurking about the least-frequented suburbs of the metropolis.” ‘ Do you mean a robber, a highwayman, a lurking thief? ”’ asked the merchant. “TI do,” responded Mr. Redcliffe. ‘The night before last, my young friends Mr. and Miss Ashton, when returning from your house in the carriage, were intercepted by a villain dressed as a Lascar, but who is beyond all doubt an English ruffan thus disguised. A struggle took place 354 ECORMIClIOO KS (E()