The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

122 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. now pursue. That Jack Smedley-had really robbed | dressed—appeared at the ddor; and very much him, was only too evident; and instead of being in possession of a considerable sum of money, Barney was almost penniless. He not merely longed to get back his gold, but likewise to wreak a terrific vengeance on Jack Smedley. Suddenly a thought struck him. He advanced to the nearest " cab-stand—drew the waterman aside—and putting a shilling into his hand, asked him whether such- and-such a person (describing Smedley according to his disguise) had fetched a vehicle from the rank within the last half hour? The waterman replied in the affirmative; and he furthermgre mamed the house to which the cab had gone to take up the individuals luggage. This Was the house where Smedley had ieee and therefore the waterman’s tale was eviden y corresy. ‘ the waterman was totally unable to afford a clue to the direction in which fae cab hag gudsequently driven. “ But if so be you particularly want to know,” added this fanctiangry, “you’ve only to wait till tho cabman comes back—~and then you gan learn all about it.” The Burkes depided upp, edopting the hint th given; and be estered a nijecent punky house where the gaterman promised to yejoin him in- mediately upom the réturn of the par ticular oab- man whose presence was now xéquired. The Burker, in @ mood of savage sullenness, meditated the most desperate vengeance if he should only succeed in tracking out his false friend. Thus nearly an hour : Barney was growing des- perately impatient: bué at jeagth tha waterman made his appearance, accompanied by the cabman, who haq only just returned ta his rank. The Rurker now ascertained that Jack medley had been driven in the cab to a street at the back of St. Luke’s Hospital in the Old Street Road— that he had alighted there, and bad taken hia lug- gage into a house the inmates of which were bed atghe time of his arrival, but had go§ up in obedience to his summons, aud had gives bing ad- mission with much apparent wilkngness. The Burker was compelled to give the cabman a shil- ling for this information; and then with hie re- maining coin he retained the man’s services to take him up as far as 8t. Luke’s Hospital. The church in Old Street proclaimed the hour of one just as the Burker alighted from the cab. He now pur. sued his way on foot; and in a few minutes reached the house which the cabman had accu- rately described to him. The Burker was totally ignorant of who the occupants of the dwelling might be: but he felt tolerably well assured that they could not be what is termed respectable—or elee under existing circumstances they would be no friends of Jack Smedley, supposing them to be acquainted with him: while on the other hand, if be were ynknown to them, they would scarcely have admitted e stranger at suchan hour. But | that seeming willingness on their part, to which the cabman had alluded, to afford Smedley a lodging, warranted the conclusion that they at ' least knew something of him. The Burker’s mind was soon made up how to act. He rang at the bell—for knocker there was none; and in a few minutes he heard footsteps approaching along the passage inside. An elderly man—with a candle in his hand, and only half quick —or astonished did he look at the singular aspect of the Burker, with the beard and gaberdine. “One word with you, my friend,” said Barney in a low but peremptory tone: and he at once entered the passage. “What does this mean ?” demanded the man, affecting a look of indignation, though in reality he had @ visible trouble depicted on his counte- nance. A glance showed the Burker that’ the key was in the street-door: he at once locked it~—and taking out the key, said to the man, “ You don’t know me—eh ?” Oo “No,” was the response, neryqusly and tremb- lingly given. “Then I'm a gotegtive—that’a Tam. You eedn’t stare a§ me aft cht fone it’s a dress ve wore to look out for a chep that's wanted— God I’ve found him at last. ¥ don’t mean you— a you needn't look sa glum: though if you've any of your nonsepde or cause any obstruction, as he saying is, I shall precious soon walk you off. "<q got halé-a-dosen of my people iy the sfreet.” &t this moment a woman, abou§ a year or two younger than the man—both of whom were elderly —emerged from gf adjoining room, with terror depicted upon her eountenance : for she hed evi- dently ovagneard a4 fhat the Burker had just been saying. “I hope there’s nothing wrong, sir,” che @ voice of whimpering entreaty. ‘“ We and my usband keeps a reapettable lodging-fouso—and {bough poor——” : “Well, va no quarrel with you,” iaterrupted the Harker: “ but just show me tho way to the room where you've lodged the person which ar- rived here just now in a cab.” Tee looks which the man snd his wife exchanged, conyinged the Rurker that he was on he right track —that Smedley was thero—and that they orever knew who be was. “ Oome now, no nonsense!” ho said : * but ba it will be all the wusq fox you, } can promise !” . “Up-stairs—the back attic,” said the man: and he presented the candle to the Burker. “ Now, I’m going to manage this little business without no noise,” remarked the villain ; “and so if you both hold your tongues, you'll find it the best way to keep out of trouble.” “I’m sure we're very much obleeged to you, sir,” eaid the woman: “ and if eo be you'll take a drop of something to drink——-” “ Presently,” interrupted the Burker. “ There | go into your own room—keep quiet—and leave me to manage. Do you think he can hear what we are saying P”’ “I’m sure he can’t,” responded the map,-— “unless he’s come half-way down stairs for the pur- pose—which isn’t likely. He wouldn’t think any- thing particular of the door bell ringing, because he knows what sort of a house it is.” The Burker now waved his hand for the elderly couple to retire into their room,— which they accordingly did,—both firmly convinced that their visitor was a detective in disguise. Darney, with the light in his hand, began ascending the stairs; and in a few moments he guined the top landing, Then, as he opened the door of the back attie, COMMEOOO (CO