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.

84 THE MYSTERIES. upon my devoted head, I feel as if I were going { lastatatavernin Holborn,” observed Sir Richard 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 XL GIR RICHARD STAMPORD. Mr. Paoz literally bounded frem the damp floor of the dungeon as this mame fell upon his ears: and with straining eyes he endeavoured to pierce through the intense darkness of the place in order to obtain a glimpee of the baronet’s coun- tenance. But the night that prevailed there was of that profound blackness whieh, like the Egyptian plague, could be almost felt! “Sir Richard Stamford!” repeated the com- mercial traveller, in a tone of such mingled amase- ment aud horror, that it startled the unhappy gentlemen whose name had produced so unac- countable an effect. “ You, I em indeed the individual whom I pro- claim myself to be,” answered the baronet. “ But is it peasble that my misfortunes sare known to ou 2” y “ Misfortunes!” ejaculsied the-esussneraial tea- voller, with a cold shudder. “Migortunes of an unspaseliieled. deseription,” returned Sir Richasd Otamfond,in a tone of greas bitterness. “ Bat although I caano coun- tenance, there is eomathing in your veicoand man- ner which Dail ‘You do indeed surprise me!” exclaimed Page. “But before we cou@inae the disesumeon those topics, permit me to inform you that my present deplorable incarceration here is all more or less owing to you.” “To moe!” cried the baronet, his bewilderment increasing. “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 beng con GH you disappeared in the Edgeware Bosd “Js it possible that these wretches. can have given me a madman as s companion ?” exclaimed Sir Richard Stamford, in a voice toe full of an- guiah to permit tho slightest doubt as to hie sin er to allow the least suspicion that he was wilfully affecting not to understand the allusions and meanings of the commercial travanw 3 “JT gee that we are playing at croms-purposes somehow or another,” said Page: “but with a little patience we may soon get atthe truth. In the first place, however, I can assure you that I aw no lauatico—although it is very possible that I shall become one shortly, if my empleyers don't rescus me from this dreadfu) dungean.” “You spoke of meeting me the night before Stamford, still hesitating to believein the 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 ee’ proad as Lucifer, scarcely deign- ing a roply.” “There is some strange misconception in all this,” said 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 place.” “ And yet you are Sir Richard Stamford” ex- claimed Page, with increasing bewilderment. “T have already assured you I am that most unhappy and much injured indévidual,” was the mournful response. “When were you brought here, might I ask ? demanded the commercial traveller. “Let us reckon by dates and degs—and then wo shail come to the point. The terrible ovent of Ayles- bary toek place during see night of Monday the 4th of Sanuary.” “ Awd it was immedistoly: after: those fatal occursenages that I wes seizedi—dirnst into a covered van —and brought hither,” ssid the baronet. “As nearly as I can reckea, it must wave been at about six o'clock i the morning of the 5th thas [ was plunged inte this cell, whens Y have remained evar since.” “Noverthelces, if was on Tucsday evening, the Sth, thet I saw yon at the Geurge and Bine Bear,” exeleimed the sommereial travadjor. “I am sure I eannot be wrong,” he centinned, im 6 musing tone. “No—ft was on the Tuesday ovening I chased yeu as far as the Edgware Road —on Wednesday evening I went to the Beggars Stei—and wo may call this Thereday aight for the sake of being 3 sithengh it is by this time we o'clocken Friday mousing.” ‘Them 5 eam secure you once mere that I had been for some Seurs en inmate of this loathsome piace, when you imegine that we met fn Holborn” eaid Gir Richard Stamford. “But may I inquire wherefore you chased any individual whom you 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 7” exclaimed the baronet, starting up in « state of terrible excitement, and feeling his way towards the commercial traveller. “Keep off, sir!” cried the latter, retreating into » corner of the cellar. “I did not mean to irritate you—I only spoke the truth !” 4‘ The truth !” repeated Sir Richard Stamford : then, as s sudden idea struck him, he said in s tone of acute 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,;* continued the baronet, exerting all his strength to subdue the egonising emations which raged within him, on me me | for my warmth, end let us undersiend each othe “That is precisely what 1 most desire,” returned Page: “but I am so bewildered and confused that I know not how to and my ideas.” “ Permit me to take upon myself the part of ia- eee ED ee ee ECOMICOOOlKS.CO