The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

eg 34 seifto procure an introduction to her father,” con- tinued the Prince: “we have therefore ample leisure to decide upon some expedient. But if in the in- ¢erval she should happen to see mein my carriage—— However,” heexclaimed, suddenly interrupting him- self, “ we must leave it to the chapter of accidents. If there’s an exposure, we can’t help it: and if there ‘be none, so much the better.” Having thus endeavoured to console and reassure daimself, his Royal Highness put on his cloak and ‘frat, and took his departure. CHAPTER LXVL THE “SUBJECT.” It was midnight: and Mr. Thurston was seated by ‘the fire in his surgery, reading a medical book. He referred to his watch and found that it was twelve o'clock preciselg. A dead silence prevailed throughout the dwelling : out in a few moments it was broken by the tinkling of the bell which hung in that room. The surgeon started from his seat—threw the volume upon the table—and, opening the door jead- ing into the yard, hastened to unfasten the gate¢orh- municating with the stables. Two inen instantly entered the premises, carrying some heavy and sinister-looking object between them, and as the pale beams of a sickly moon flickered on their repulsive countenances, s cold shud- der passed even through the frame of the phiegmatic, selfish, and usually imperturbable Thurston. “Punctual you see, siz, as clank-work,” whispered the Buzglonk.. “This way—quick!” said Thurstan; and the two men follawed him inte. tha anegery, on the: floor of which they thew thaic burthem heavily. It wae comalhing:. lung and: supple, enclosed in a targe sack:t'- We have already stated, in # previnas ehaptar, | that thero were three doors to the surgery,—one communicating with the consulting-parlour, the second with the yard, and the third with an apart- ment of which we promised to give further details. Throwing open the door of this apartment, and seading the way with a light in his hand, Mr. Thurston bade the two men follow him with their burthen. The room thus entered was small and nearly aaked in res to furniture. A long dissecting table—a pail to catch the flaid which flowed from & corpse when opened—a rope suspended to a pulley fixed to the ceiling, and used to raise the head of the “subjcct” as high as the purposes of the experimentalist might require — and several anatom'cal instruments scattered about upon the table,—these were the principal features of the place. A dark green curtain covered the window, _ Which was protected by iron bars; and the floor was strown with coarse red sand. Mileathe Buzgloak and Dick the Tramper carried their burthen into this apartment; and while one retained a tight hold of the bottom of the sack, the other, removing a cord which closed the routh, proceeded to drag furth its contents. A numan head appeared—then the upper part of a man’s body—and, the sack being abruptly drawn aw.y, the catire form was exposed to view, dressed in tho —_ or E )=6—oaD THE MYSTENTES. garments which kt had on when cut. down from the fatal beam in front of Newgate ! For “the subject” tnus purchased by the surgeon was Ram:ey the forger ; and a portion of the halter still encireled his neck ! The countenance was as colourless as Parian marble—but neither distorted nor hideous. All the convulsive workings which are inseparable from so violent a death us that of strangulation by the accursed cord, seemed to have subsided, by the subsequent relaxation of the featurea, into that calm and sleep-like placidity which follows an easy and natural dissolution. The eyes were closed—the long dark lashes resting motionless upon those cheeks whereon not a hue nor a tint of life was left: the mouth was partially open—the fine teeth gleaming between the pale lips. Over the brow fell curls of black hair, soft and silky as that of a woman; and it was easy to perceive that ere this countenance lost tae animation of vitality, it must have been pre-eminently handsome aud well cab. culated tu make an impression on the hearst of a susceptible lady. | “ Well—what d’ye think of this here stif'un?* demanded Miles the Busgioak of the surgeon. “ Stiffun be damned!" ejaculated Dick Um Tramper. “It’s as limp aad yielding as a young babby; and a more loveli#r corpse | never set eyes on. It’s quite a pleasure and a recreation like to surwey such a specimen of deed natar’—for I s'pose 1 may call it in that thero maaner.” “I'm blowed if you ain’t gethiog sentimental. over it, Dick,” said the Buzgloes, casting a look ob deep disgust upon his comrada. “ And the sooner you pijaas the body upon thas table, the better I shall be pleased,” exolaimed the surgeon, with an imperious motion of the hand. “ Heave him up, Miles,” said the Tramper ; and the subject was speedily stretahed at full length on the dissecting-boand, its head resting oa the ele- vated part at one extremity. Me. Thurston then conducted the two men bask into the surgery, where he counted down the stipm. lated sum. “All right f* said the Buzgloak, taking up the coin. “ At any fusune time, sir, we shali be glad of your orders as heretofore. You must admit that we did the thing well in this here instance—togging ourselves off spruce, and going to the Sheriff's as if we was’ Ramsey's most particular baszim friends———” “ And imploring that the body might be given wp to us to reccive decent burial,’ added the Tramper. “Ah! it was finely managed—and no mistake,” continued Miles. “ White cambrie fogies up te our eyes~—a precious snivelling look abant us—e few holler groans —” “I have no doubt you played your part te per fection,” interrupted Mr. Thurston. “ Good night to you both,” he added, with that abruptness which unmistakably told the two men he would rather have their room than their company. They accordingly took their departure; and Mis, Thurston returned to the dissecti..g-chamber. Holding the candle in his hand, he approached the taole: Lat suddenly he started —and though na- turally courageous as well as utterly devoid of su- perstitious oelief, he staggered back a few paces, as the ngnc was reflected in aumething shining on the face of the form stretched upon that table. COMIC OO© SS co