The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

102 ' \ | REYNOLDS’ WORKS compelled to absent herself for a time. It may perhaps be to her interest that you-say as little on the subject as possible, that you devise some excuse, a sudden journey, or something of the sort, but this I must leave to your dis- cretion. You know who I am, and let my word be a guaran- tee for whatsoever I am saying to you.” Sir Frederick rode off, leaving the half-dismayed, half- astonished Jane to put her own construction on the in- formation he had imparted to her, and ave way to what- soever conjectures it might suggest. The dusk was now completely closing in, wait Sir Frederick rode onward in the direction of Balham Hill. He had not proceeded very far when on entering a lonely by-lane which he took, he beheld a man walking slowly along in front of him. On a nearer approach he perceived that this fellow had the air of a travelling tinker; his apparatus was slung to a stick over his shoulder, and his garments were grimed with black. Sir Frederick thought nothing of the circum- stance, and he was passing the man at a gentle trot, when the fellow began imploring alms. He however suddenly ‘stopped short, as if he recognized Sir Frederick, but he had said enough to enable the merchant to be struck by something in his tone. The next instant Sir Frederick, who ‘was very far from lacking courage, sprang from his horse and threw himself upon the false tinker. The man was however, prepared for the attack, sib at the instant the merchant leaped from his steed, the ruffian ‘let his apparatus fall behind him, and aimed.:a terrible blow ‘at Sir Frederick with his elub. But the. merchant escaped it, and the next instant the ruffian was hurled upon the ground. ie ‘T know you!” exclaimed Sir Frederick, with hi knee upon the. villain’s chest and one hand grasping his. throat. “ You are the false Lascar, the Burker, and Heaven. knows -what else. Dead or alive, you shall remain in my power.”’ The club. had been wrested from the Burker’s. grasp, but he ‘struggled desperately. Indeed, ill might it have fared with Sir Frederick Latham had not-a couple of labour- ing men suddenly appeared upon the scene, and. they. hap- pened to be in the employment of the merchant himself. ‘The Burker was secured, and albedo to: Sir Frederick’ S ‘own mansion. © - ry eee bee ECORNIELIOOKS (E(0)