The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

34 upon my devoted head, I feel as if I were going { last at a tavern in Holborn,” observed Sir Richaré mad—mad !” “Then accident has brought together the two most unhappy beings in existence,” said the com- mercial traveller. But let us know each other better. My name is Page, and I am, or was, in the service of Hodson and Morley, Wood Street.” “ And my name is Sir Richard Stamford,” was the rejoinder. CHAPTER AL GIR RICHARD STAMFORD. Mr. Paoz literally bounded from the damp foor of the dungeon as this name fell upon his ears: and with straining eyes he endeavoured to pierce through the intense darkness of the place in order to obtain a glimpse of the baronet’s coun- tenance. But the night that there ree ot toe wid beclaatfekl Egyptian plague, could be almost “Sir Richard Stamford!” pepeated the com- mercial traveller, in a tone of such mingled amase- ment aad borror, that it startled the unhappy gentlomen whose name had produced so unac- countable en effect. “ Yes, I am indeed the individual whom I pro- claim myself to be,” answered the baronet. “ But is it peasible that my misfortunes are known to you? “* Misfortunas 1” ejaculated the commercial tra- ar with a cold shudder. me, [wonjare yeu, what yen heve beerd concern- ing ano—whet the world Knows or O70 Oe the tessible events ef Stessford Menor—end what has beesme of those winine Rassasy and Mastin 7” Yon do indeed surprise me! exelaimed Page. “But before we coutinme the disssume on those topics, permit me to inform you that my present deplorable incarceration here is all more or less owing to you." ‘To mo!” cried the baronet, his bewilderment increasing. ‘s'Yea, to you!” answered Page, in an impetuous and irritated tone. “If I had not meddled in your affairs, I never should have encountered the mis- creant who has locked me up in this accursed place. Bat it was all through meeting you the night be- fore last at the George and Blue Boarin Holborn, and then chasing youin a hackney-coach till you dies in the Edgeware Eoad——” “Is it possible that these wretches can have given me a madman as a companion ?” exclaimed Sir Richard Stamford, in a voice toe full of an- guish to permit the slightest doubt as to his sin- cerity, or to allow the least suspicion that he was wilfully affecting not to understand the alJosions and of the commercial travan 3 “TI seo that we are playing at crom-purposes somehow or another,” asid Page: “but with « little patience we may soon get at the truth. In the frst place, however, I can assure you that I aw no lanatio—although it is very possible thet I shall become one shortly, if my empleyers dan't sesous me from this dreadfu) dungeon.” “You spoke of meeting me the night before Stamford, still hesitating to believe in tle alleged sanity ef his fellow-prisoner, but determined to put him to the test. “To be sure,” cried the commercial traveller. “ And I made some civil remark to you: but you turned away eo proud es Lucifer, scarcely deign- ing a reply.” “There is some strange missonception in all this,” eaid the baronet: “for not only was [ never in my life at the tavern which you named, but the night you allude to was passed by me in this wretched “ And yet you are Sir Richard Stamford?” ex- claimed Page, with increaaing bewilderment. “TI have already assured you I am that most uahappy and much injured individual,” was the mournful response. “When were you brought hese, might I ask * demanded the commercial teaveller. “Let us reckon by dates and then we shall come to the point Theturrible event of Aylee- bury toek place during the night of Monday the 4th of January.” “Agé it was immedigtely: after. those fatal occursemaes that I wes seized—dirust into a covered van—gagged—and brought hither,” ssic the baronet. “As nearly as I can reckon, it must ave been at about six o'clock ip the of the Sth that [ was plunged inte this ecll, whane I have remained ever aince.” “WNovertheless, it was on Tuesday cvening, the 5th, that I caw yon at the George and Hine “I musing “Ne—s was on the Tuesday evening I chased yen os fares the Edgware Road this time twe o’dlocken Friday ‘Then I eam aaeure you once meze that I had been for some heurs ea inmate cf this loathsome glace, when you imagine that we met in Holborn” said Sir Richard Stamford. “But may I inquire wherufore you chased any individual whom you supposed to be me, as faras the Edgware Road ” “To speak candidly,” replied Page, ‘I was in- duced to plunge headlong into that mad freak by the reward offered for your apprehension.” “ Villain] how dare you make a jest of my misfortunes ?’ exclaimed the baronet, starting up in a state of terrible excitement, and feeling his way towards the commercial traveller. “ Keep off, sir!” cried the latter, retreating into s corner of the cellar. “J did not mean to irritate you—I only spoke the trath !” 4‘ The truth !” repeated Sir Richard Stamford : then, es s sudden idea struck him, he said in a tone of soute anguish, “I begin to see it all! The miscreants Martin and Ramsey have vilified my name—perhaps acused me of deeds which it is maddening to contemplate! My good friend, eontinued the baronet, exerting all his strength to subdue the agonising emoatiuna which raged within him, “ pardon me ‘or my warmth, and let ts understand each ether.” “That is precisely what I most desire,” returned Page: “bat I am so bewildered and confused that I know not how to separate and classify my ideas.” “ Permit me to take upon myself the part of in- ECOMRNIC OO SS CO a a A ge a a ST