The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 227: what you’re looking at

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Ia —<<<~<~W~W—OVOCC—C—C—C—C—C—— THE MYSTERIES. 26 me any hope: for I—wretch that I am-—Qh! do not look up at me as I speak———I am——" And the remaining word, which proclaimed the fata) secret and confirmed the medical man’s pre- vious suspicion, was conveyed in the lowest andible whisper. “Now are acquainted with my misery—and |. my heart is already easier,” said the nobleman, flinging himself once more on the seat which he had gre now quitted. 6 e é e @ e @ e e e e “Then there is no hope, Mr. Thurston?” said the Earl, after a long private conference; and he | spoke in a volee which betrayed how deeply he | was moved. “None, my lord,” was the emphatic answer. “It would be downright robbery to take a shilling from you for such a purpose. Besities, your lord- ship has already remunerated me far too han/- somely.” “Say not a word upon that subject,” retarned the nobleman. * My secret——” “Is the same as if it had never been confided to me,” rejoined Mr. Thurston. “I thank you—sinoerely thank you,” said the Earl ;—and pressing the surgeon's hand with con- vulsive violeace, the unfortunate nobleman took his departure. e @ e e e e ° e e It was about nine o'clock in the evening, and Mr. Thurston was alone in the surgery, having pur- posely dismissed his assistant, although there were several medicines to compound and send out—for the first day of the professional gentleman's career at the Weet End, had been a basy and a lucrative one. The surgery had three doors: one communi-. cated with the parlour where he had received the Earl of Desborough, and which was intended for the reception of persons calling to consult him : the second opened into the yard at the back of the building ;—and the third communicated with an apartment of which we shall] have to speak more in a future chapter. Bat these details, trivial as they may now appear, must be borne in mind. Presently a bell in the surgery rang. Mr. Thurston opened the door leading into the yard—.and, passing out, he unfastened the gate communicating with the stables. before alluded to. A man immediately entered the premises, and Thurston conducted him, without sayinga word, | au into the surgery, closing the door carefully behind him. The individual whom he had thus admitted into his sanctum, was a short, strong-built, ill-looking fellow, with a repulsive countenance, and a sinister leer in the small reptile-like eyes which did one harm to meet their gaze. He was clothed in a coarse, rough, and negligent manner—but not through poverty: for the villain’s ill-gotten gains were sufficient in the course of a month to keep an entire family in a respectable style for a whole year. This man was Miles the Buzgloek. “ Well, sir,” he sald, as soon as the surgeon had closed the door, “ you see I'm punctiwal to the ap- piutment which you was kiad enow to give me. So rou've got into your new house—ebh? Well, l only nace aa a a a a ee ee eee rr Ee, a, | EE, . hope your business will increase accordingly—anad then I shall have all the more of your paytronage.* “I did not send fur you here to bestow your conversation upon me,” exclaimed Mr. Thurston, sharply. “You are well aware what I require can you manage it for me soon and secretly ” “ As for secrecy,” responded Miles, “ your honour knows that it’s the wery fust principle of our bual- ness: and as for doing it soon, I can promise the thing for next Monday night, and no mistake what- soever.” “Ah! next Monday night!” ejaculated the sur- geon, 8 thought striking him. “ Yes—I remember —it was said in this morning’s paper that next Monday is the day fixed——But you mean me to ' have one of them, eh 2” “You can’t have a better, sir,” responded the man. “The young ‘on wil] suit your book to a | nicety.” “Well—be it so. And if any obstacle should arise in that quarter——” “Then I must get you another—that's all ° an- ewered the Buzgloak. “Bat it ain’t lixely: so if you'll be prepared next Monday night to receive | me and my partner Dick the Tramper, who's as | fine a fellow as any under the sun—'specially at this here sort of work -—-—” “I have po doubt of his merits whatsoever,”. in- terrupted Mr. Thurston, laconically. “At mid- night—-as near that hour as possible—I shall expect you. At all events, I shall remain in’the surgery ) antil you ring the bel] of the gate opening fom the mews. If you do not come by two in the | morning, I shall conclude it is a failure in that quarter——” “ Make your mind easy, sir,” exclaimed the Buz- gloak, with a significant leer. “ At twelve o’clock, | or thereabouts, you'll hear the bell a-tinkling, sure enow. And having got so far, we'll just settle | about the price—and then I'll take my walyable ' carcase off—'cos I’ve got another appintment on eome business for this evening.” “Name your own terms—and I can easily say whether I agree to them, or not,” observed the medical gentleman. “ Well—forty shiners won't hurt you,” said Miles, fixing his serpent eyes upon Thurston to see how © the price named was relished. * No—'tis ten too much,” was the answer. “Come—we'll split the difference, and have no more bother about it,” exclaimed the Buzgloak. | “ Thirty-five coat on delivery—them's the terms ; any others Mr. Miles respectfully declines | acing bartacon as the ready-money tradesmen me | on their circulars.” “ Be it so,” said the surgeon. “ At twelve, thea, | next Monday night, I shall expect you.” “ There or thereabonts,” responded the Busgioak. “J know you'll be well satisfied with the resnlt ; and the bargain is entirely your’n. It’s as cheap as dirt, considering the risk’s transportation for life. But poor men like me must live any a Pe ewewesme-@ ¢ eu eo 2586 © a=» how——” “ And I don’t suppose you are very particulas: in what way it is,” interrupted the medical man suf- fering his countenance to relax into asmile. ‘ But we have settled everything—and——"_ - “ And I'll bundle,” added Miles. The man accordingly took his departure, Mr Tharston conducting hia: out by the back dvor. aap ) | no CONN COMIC OO©