The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

THE RUINED TEMPLE 00d The Englishman stopped short, scowling horribly; the sossoon burst out into a laugh, which only irritated the Englishman more than ever, if possible, against him, so that at all risks he was on the very point of springing at the treacherous dervish, when this individual suddenly tossed his wallet toward him. The Burker picked it up, and as he opened it, his hand first of all encountered a flask. This he at once applied to his lips, and the potent alcohol he imbibed tended to appease his rage somewhat and improve his humour. He glanced at the gossoon, who was now grinning, nodding, and wagging his head, and squinting more horribly than ever with his right eye. The wallet contained some tempting provisions, and the Burker was already commencing a ravenous attack upon them when the gossoon spoke something and made him a sign to repair to the ruins of the temple. The Burker hesi- tated and looked suspicious, but the Hindu replaced his dagger beneath his garments, and made signs of amity and peace. The Burker thought that, after all, the gossoon could entertain no murderous intention toward him, for if so, he might have already carried it into effect while he was inspeet- ing the wallet, and therefore he no longer hesitated to return into the temple. There they sat down together, eating and drinking just as if their companionship had never once been interrupted by the perfidy of the Hindu; and when the meal was concluded, the gossoon rose and began to examine the interior of the ruins, evidently with the air of a man who beheld them for the first time. The Burker meanwhile was wondering whether his companion still had the bags of rupees about him, and if so, how he could turn the tables and become the despoiler. All of a sudden an ejaculation escaped the lips of the dervish, — he had discovered the stone with the iron ring. The Burker now approached the spot, and partly by signs, partly by means of the few words of Hindustani with which he was acquainted, he gave the gossoon to understand that it was he himself who had torn up the grass, but that he had vainly endeavoured to lift the stone. The gossoon attempted the task, but appeared equally unable to perform it. He then took his dagger, and with the point endeavoured to work away the cement which united the stone to the sur- rounding ones. While he was thus occupied, an idea entered GOMuIGdoOG SS) (©)