The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 336: what you’re looking at

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A MYSTERIES oO} TIE “Then I cannot hesitato to serve you,” responded Green. “fore are a hundred pounds in advancoof the cum promised you,” continued the valet, producing bank-notes to the amount named; “and the other moicty shall bo paid the moment the information you are about to give me shall havo proved to bo correct.” “Ah! it is a long—long timo sinco I could call s0 much moncy my own,” said Greon, with a deep sigh, as ho gazed upon tho notes—half doubting whether it were possible that they were about to find their way into his pocket. “Take up the money and use despatch—for my time is precious,” exclaimed Titzecorge. The clerk followed tho first suggestion with amazing alacrity; and his sinister countenance was now as radiant with joy as such a face could be. “Your master is generous—vory generous,” he said, as soon as the notes were secured in his waist- coat-pocket; “and I will servo him to tho utmost of my power. The mad-house to which Sir Gilbert IJIeathcoto has beon consigned, is kept by Dr. Swin- ton, and is situated in the neighbourhood of the new chureh facing the ond of tho Bethnal Green Road.” “J om well acquainted with tho locality,” said Titzgeorge. “The church you spoak of is in tho Cambridge Road, and stands at ono of the angles of the Green ?” “Precisely so,” answered the clerk; “and tho lunatic asylum looks upon the Green itself, its back windows commanding a view of Globe Town. But here is the exact address,” continued the man, producing a card from his pocket. “ That is all I require,” said Fitcgeorge. “ Three - days hence you can meot mo hero again; and if in the meantime I should have discovered that Sir Gilbert Heathcote is really confined in Dr. Swin- ton’s asylum, the other hundred pounds shall bo handed over to you.” The valet and tho clerl: then separated. CHAPTER CLXXXVI. DR. SWINTON, THE mad-house kept by Dr. Swinton was a spa- cious building, with a largo gardon, surrounded by a high wall, at tho back. It was by no means a gloomy-looking place, al- thongh the casements wero protected by iron bars: for to mitigate that prison-like effect, the curtains were of a cheerful colour, and tho window-sills wero adorned with flowers and verdant evergreens in bright red pots. Morcojer, tho front of the houso was stuccocd; and wherever paint was used, tho colours wore of tho gayest kind. The front door always stocd opon during the day- time, because thero was an inner door of great strength which led into the hall; and a porter in handsome livery was constantly lounging about at tho entrance. Tho Doctor himself was an elderly person, of highly rospectable appearanco, and of very pleasing manners when he choso to be agreeable: but no demon could exhibit greater ferocity than he, when compelled to exercise his authority in respect to those amongst his patients who had no frionds to care about thom, LE a er yp nen I ce te a ey gt It was between nine and ten o’clock ip tho even: ing of the day following the intcrview betweon Fitz- george and Heathcote’s head clerk, that a plain car- riago and pair drove up to tho door of Doctor Swine ton’s establishment, Tho porter immediately rushed forward to open tho door and Ict down the steps ef tho vehicle: and two porsons alighted, One was 2 tall, handsome young man of gentcol boaring, and handsomely drossed: tho other was fome years oldcr, and might be described ag re- spectablo without having anything aristocratic in his appearance. “Have the kindness to say that Mr. Smithson, accompanied b7 his friend Mr. Granby, requests an interview with your master,” wero the words tm- mediatoly addressed to the porter by the clder of the two visitors, while the other appearnd to bo gazing about him in a vacant and stolid manner. “Walk in, gentlemen,” said the obscquious porter, with alow bow: ho then rang a bell, and a footman in resplendent livery opened tho innor door. Mr. Granby and Mr. Smithson wero now con- ductod through a spacious hall into an olegantly furnished parlour, lighted by a superb Iustro sus- pended to the ceiling. “ Tho Doctor will be with you in a minute, gon- tlomen,” said the domestic, who immediately re- tired to acquaint his master with their arrival: but the moment tho door had closed behind him, a smile of deep meaning instantly appeared upon tho lips of the visitors, as they exchanged equally sig- nificant looks. In a fow minutes Dr. Swinton appoared—his countonance wearing such a bonignant expression that if tho Saints at Exoter Hall could only havo bribed him to attend on tho platform at their May Meotings, thoy would have secured a sufficioncy of outward appearance of philanthropy to draw gold from the purses of evon the most cynical. In fact, tho doctor was precisely tho individual from whoso lips might be expected a most touching and lachry- mose speech upon the “ benighted condition’’ of tho heathen, and the absolute necessity of procuring funds for the purpose of circulating a million of Bibles amongst tho poor savages of tho Cannibal Islands. His thin grey hair was combed with precision over his high and massive forehead: a smile played on his lips, showing his well-preserved teeth ;—and his eyes beamed with mildness—~—almost with meekness, a8 if ho had succeeded, by long persever- ance, in resigning himself to a profession which militated sadly against a natural benevolence of heart. He was dressed in deep black; his linon was of the finost material and of snowy whiteness ;—lo woro 3 low cravat; and his cnormous shirt-friil was prevented from projecting too much by means of a diamond pin that could not havo cost less than fifty guinoas. The middle finger of his right hand was adorned with a ring of cqual value; and a massive chain with a bunch of gold seals depended from his fob. We should have observed that tho Doctor wore black silk stockings and shors—it being evening; and wo have every causo to belicre that tho reader may now form a tolerably accurate idea of that gentleman’s personal appearance. Leaning forward as he walked, and with a lind of mincing gait—half familiar, and half obsequious LONDON, (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)