The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 396: what you’re looking at

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

THE BANK-NOTES 365 Out rushed the Burker from his hiding-place, and as the terrified woman rose to her knees, she found herself con- fronted by the villainous-looking Lascar whom a few days previously she had relieved, and who had attacked the Duke of Marchmont. | ‘“‘ Shriek out again, and you’re a dead ’ooman!”’ said the Burker, in a terrible voice, as he raised his club in a menacing manner. Nevertheless Madame Angelique did cry out as she knelt at the villain’s feet; he uttered a tremendous execration, and was about to strike with all his force at her head, when she suddenly left off screaming, and said, “ For God’s sake don’t murder me! I'll give you everything I’ve got! ”’ ‘““ That’s common sense,”’ said the Burker, ‘‘ and now look sharp about it, so that you may sit down all cosy and com- fortable to eat that there lobster which the gal’s gone for.”’ Meanwhile Sir Frederick Latham had knocked at the front door, but the sound was not heard up in the room where this scene was taking place, for it was situated at the back of the house, the whole front of the first story being used as a drawing-room. Immediately after the merchant’s knock, screams pealed forth. Sir Frederick at once knew there must be something wrong, and he rushed around to the back part of the premises. There he found the kitchen door standing wide open, as Jane had left it on going forth, and he entered the house. On reaching the passage, he heard a sruff voice say, “ Thirty-two sovereigns? Why, it’s all gammon. A lady like you —”’ ‘“‘T assure you I have no more ready money in the house,” Madame Angelique replied, in accents of shuddering terror. The gruff voice gave vent to some bitter imprecation, and Sir Frederick Latham, now feeling convinced that a robbery was being perpetrated in the house, stole up the staircase. It was so well carpeted that the sounds of his steps were not heard, and all in a moment he burst into the chamber where the rufhan was keeping Madame Angelique in a state of such awful alarm. “ Ah!” ejaculated Sir Frederick, as he caught sight of the Lascar’s dress. A cry of joy pealed forth from the lips of the ex-milliner, but with a savage growl did the Burker spring toward the merchant. Sir Frederick, who was far from deficient in CoOnnicloookKks (C(O)