The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER V THE PRISONER IN THE DOCK THE magistrate at Bow Street had not quitted the office, although it was now past the usual hour for his retirement from the bench, but he awaited the result of the expedition on which the inspector had set out. It was not very long before this official returned, accompanied by his prisoner. The crowd that usually hangs about a police office had dispersed in the belief that the business of the day was over; the newspaper reporters had likewise taken their departure, and the court itself remained empty until the magistrate and his clerk were fetched from their private room by the intimation that the prisoner who was expected had just arrived at the office. The magistrate accordingly returned to take his seat upon the bench, the clerk placed himself at the table, and Lord Clandon was now escorted into the dock. In addition to the persons already noticed, there were only Sagoonah, the inspector, and the constable, besides two or three other police officers, now present. But Mr. Coleman speedily made his appearance, and soon afterward another individual entered the court. This last-mentioned person was Mark, Queen Indora’s faithful majordomo. It will be recollected that her Majesty had despatched a note to Mortimer Street, acquainting Lord Clandon with Sagoonah’s flight, and of this note Mark was the bearer. On reaching Mortimer Street he had learned from Mrs. Macaulay — as the disguised inspector had previously done — that Mr. Redcliffe (as he was then called) had gone to his solicitor’s in Bedford Row, Holborn. Thither Mark proceeded, little suspecting the fearful nature of the intelligence that awaited him. His astonishment and consternation may therefore be imagined when he 65 COnnIClOOoKS (CO)