The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

THE STRANGLER 301 blood ran cold in his veins. In a few moments the snake glided out from the hole where it was previously lurking; with a frightful hiss it raised itself up, and expanded its hood preparatory to taking the fatal spring, for it was a cobra. That strong shudder on the Burker’s part was instantaneously followed by the complete recovery of all his presence of mind, for he was rendered desperate by the sense of danger, and just at the very moment that the reptile was about to dart at him, he struck it a blow with his stick. The aim was well taken; the serpent writhed in agony, but another blow despatched it. Having thrown the snake forth from the cave, the Burker proceeded to examine it in every part with the closest possible scrutiny, but he discovered not another hole. He thrust his stick into the one whence the reptile had emerged, but there was no reason to imagine that there were any other snakes in the same ambush. He however stopped up the hole, and his examination being over, he bethought himself of a means of protecting the entrance of the cave from the insidious visits of such fearful guests for the future. He remembered that the houses on the outskirts of Indera- bad had all gravel laid down at their doors, and as the fellow was not wanting in ingenuity nor keenness, it occurred to him that so invariable a custom must have a specific object, and what object could it be if not for the very one which he at all events now resolved to adopt as a sugges- tion? It moreover seemed to him natural enough that the reptile species would not drag their bellies over substances that might cut, graze, or wound them. He therefore began to chip off and break up pieces of the granite blocks which lay strewn about, and in this manner he occupied himself for the remainder of the day, taking good care, however, to be upon his guard against the insidious approach of that human reptile, the Strangler. Before the dusk began to close in, the Burker had covered a large space of ground in front of the cave with the little fragments of granite, and thus for a distance of about six yards in length and three in width was this defence work formed. Having reconstructed his barrier, he sat down in the cavern to partake of his food, and his meal being finished, he found slumber stealing upon his eyes. Even before he was completely asleep, and while only cradled in the dreamy GOMIIGDOG SS) (S©)