The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

three steps into a house, the door of which had been previously opened in obedience to the sum- ‘ mons of the Gallows’ Widow, who had gone on in front for the purpose. Along a boarded Page was now con- aucted—then down a flight of steep stone stepa, at the bottom of which he heard the Gallows’ Widow removing the bolts and chain of a door. This process caused a few moments’ delay; aad the instant the door swung round upon its grating hinges, s voice, apparently coming from the bowels of the earth, exclaimed, “Fiends! will you give me my liberty?” * Not till the conditions are complied with, my bencull,” responded the Magsman. ‘ But we've brought you a companion, and you ought at least to thank us for that.” «+ Miscreants !” ejaculated the voice, in a tone of deep, concentrated rage. At the same moment, the Big Beggarman pushed the commercial trayeller forward into the - 6 en THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 88 cellar or dungoon, and tho door was immedis closed with violence. Then there was the din caused by replacing the chain, and by shooting the massive bolts into their sockets; and that ominous noise was followed by the sound of retreating footateps on the stairs. : Page remained standing motionless, breathless, stupified, until all was silent; then tearing off the bandage from his eyes—but finding himself in total darkness—he sank down upon the damp earth with an ejaculation of indescribable misery. “Who are you, unhappy man, that have thus been brought hither to share with me the horrors of this den?” asked the voice which he had before heard. : “Tam indeed an unhappy man!” cried Page, clutching his hair on eéach side of his head with his two hands, and tearing it with frantic violence, “Not more unhappy than I,” responded his companion, bitterly. ‘Ob, my God! when I re- flect upon all the misfortanes which have fallen , comicloooks. conn