The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

308 REYNOLDS’ WORKS were two adventures with that Lascar, — one about a week back, and the other on the night of the party. To which do you allude, sir? ”’ ‘To both,” was the response. “On the first occasion, sir,’ resumed the domestic, “I think his lordship had taken a little too much of your wine, sir, — saving your presence, — and he upset the phaeton. I was stunned on the spot, and when I came to my senses again his lordship was crying out, ‘ Stop thief!’ and then his lord- ship went on swearing terribly, making me believe that he had been robbed. There was something strange in his lord- ship’s manner, sir, though he declared he had not been ~ robbed.”’ ‘‘ And what about the adventure of the night before last? ”’ inquired Sir Frederick, very anxiously. ‘““ Why, sir, as we were driving home we saw a fellow in white struggling with young Mr. Ashton, and then his lord- ship cried out that he was the very same Lascar who had robbed him the other night.” The groom proceeded to relate the incident of the Lascar’s escape from Lord Rushbrook and Christian, just as Mr. Red- cliffe had already detailed the circumstances to Sir Fred- erick; but the groom of his own accord added that “ his lordship seemed struck quite aback when the ruffian again spoke about the safe and cash-box.”’ ‘‘ And you have not the slightest notion what the villain alluded to? ’”’ said the merchant, inquiringly. ‘“‘ Not the least, sir,’ replied the bewildered groom. ‘“‘ Now tell me, my good fellow,’’ continued Sir Frederick, and he put another guinea into the domestic’s hand, “ has his lordship your master paid any considerable sum of money yesterday or to-day —I mean, is it within your knowledge that he has done so? Whatever information you give me will do you no harm, and you can keep silent as to having been questioned in this way.”’ “T don’t know, sir, whether his lordship has paid away any large sum of money,” answered the groom, “ but, saving your presence, sir, and with no disrespect, I do know that. there was an execution out against his lordship for twelve or thirteen hundred pounds, because he told me to take care that he was always denied if ever Buffer the sheriff’s-officer should happen to call. Well, sir, yesterday his lordship ECORNICLIIOOKS (E(0)