The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 391: what you’re looking at

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

360 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘You know the viscount? ”’ continued Sir Frederick, — ‘““T mean, of course, professionally — ”’ “T have not the honour of being his lordship’s professional adviser,’ interjected Mr. May. ‘“No, but you have been very recently engaged against him,’’ resumed the merchant; ‘‘ and yesterday, I understood, he called upon you.”’ “True, Sir Frederick,’ responded the solicitor, ‘‘ his lord- ship came to settle a little matter — but to be candid with you, Viscount Rushbrook paid me some thirteen hundred pounds to settle a liability on which I had been compelled to issue an execution against his person.” ‘““ Precisely so,’”’ said the merchant. ‘“‘ And now I am about to ask the question which may seem most singular. Did you happen to take the numbers of the notes in which Lord Rushbrook settled this hability? ” ‘““ Most assuredly,” exclaimed Mr. May, “ for I at once sent off the money to my banker’s; and, as a matter of precaution, I invariably keep the numbers of bank-notes thus confided to the care of a clerk.”’ ‘Would you oblige by favouring me with a sight of those same numbers? ’”’ asked Sir Frederick. The lawyer, wondering at the request, at once produced the list, which the merchant compared with a slip that he took from his own pocketbook. All the numbers on Mr. May’s list corresponded with a quantity of those which were on the merchant’s list, but Sir Frederick displayed not any particular feeling which could enable the lawyer to judge of the effect produced on him by the result of the investiga- tion. ‘““T return you my best thanks,” said the merchant, rising from his seat, “‘ and I beg that the subject of our interview may be kept altogether secret.” ‘“‘T hope, Sir Frederick,” said Mr. May, “ that there is really nothing so very unpleasant — ”’ ‘“ Not the least,” interrupted the merchant. ‘It was as much for Lord Rushbrook’s sake as my own that it was desirable to ascertain the number of these notes which were paid into your hand.”’ Sir Frederick Latham then took his leave of the lawyer, and entering his carriage, he ordered the coachman to return to Balham Hill. The point was now ascertained: the greater CORMICLIOOKS (E(0)