The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 162: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 151 SS tS his left—and numerous other constables close by ; taken place, and you may start with your prisoner to seize upon him at the least demonstration of | as soon as you think fit.” violence. The Burker was now removed from the dock; Jack Smedley ascended the wiftness-box ; and and as the calls attached to the Court -itself were having beon sworn, he # once addressed the magistrate with a basty and excited volubility. “Please your worship, that man is Barney the Burker—and I can prove it! My namo is John Smedley ; and I claim the benefit of the promise held out in this hand-bill I was the means of handing over the Burker to the constables; and I have now come to give myself into custody.” The announcement of Jack Smedley’s name pro- duced a considerable sensation in the court; for every one recognised it as that of the master of the house in Lambeth the hideous revelations of which had created so great an excitement throughout the metropolis. “Don’t believe a word, your worship, that is told you agin me,” said the Burker, in a sort of half- dogged, half-submissive tone. “I’m a poor, honest Jew which gets his livin’ in a respectable manner: and I can bring fifty witnesses to prove it. As for that there constable, I never said nothink of the sort about not being able to tako off my beard without hot water. It’s a nat’ral beard, your worship—and as fast on to my chin as your wor- ship’s whiskers is to your cheeks. And as for Jack Smedley, everybody knows he is a white-livored, sneakin’ scoundrel_———” ‘It is rather singular,” interjected the magig- trate, “that if you are a respectable Jew you should have any such particular knowledge of the man Smedley. But we will soon ascertain whether your beard is false or not-———” ‘¢ Now that I look close, I can see plain enough it is a false one, your worship,” said the constable on the Burker’s right hand: “and the moustachios too.’’ “T can identify him, your worship!” exclaimed another voice from amidst the crowd: and old Jonathan Carnabie vow stepped into the witnese- box. : His evidence was to the effect that he was sexton of the parish church of Woodbridge in Westmore- land—that he had engaged the Burker ag an assist- ant, not knowing who he wag at the time—that the fellow had intended to rob and murder him— but that his criminal design had been frustrated by the sudden arrival of assistance. Jonathan further stated that he had been hocussed and robbed by the Burker in London; and he excited some merriment in the Court by describing how he had purchased pastilles of the false Jew without for an instant suspecting that his old acquaintance the Burker was concealed benegth that disguise. “ Well, I tell you what, then,” said Barney, who now began to think thas is were better after all if he were to be transferred to Liverpool, inasmuch as the journey thither might possibly offer some facilities of escape; “I’m a considerate man in my way—and don’t see the use of botherin’ the justice. So I'll just admit for form’s sake that I am the genelman which they say I be—Mr. Barnes, to wit. So there’s an end of the matter.” *©In that cage,” observed the magistrate, “I have nothing more to do than to direct that you, Mr. Superintendent, will take the necessary mea- sures for conveying tho prisoner to Liverpool. The clerk will make out the depositions of what has considered to be stronger and more secure than those belonging to the station-house on the oppo- site side of Bow Street, the prisoner was consigned to one of the former. Jack Smedley was then placed in the dook ; and on his own confession was committed to take his trial for the murder of an elderly person who passed by the name of Smith, and who was lodging at his house in Lambeth some time back. But he was given to understand by the magistrate that the promise held out by the Secretary of State would no doubt be fulfilled to- wards him. All these proceedings occupied the magistrate until nearly eight o’clock in the even- ing: so thaf the clerk of the court had no leisure to commence the depositions in the Burker's case until those in Jack Smedley’s had been completed in order that the latter might be transferred to Horsemonger Lane Gaol. CHAPTER CxXV. THE OBL Ir happened that at the time Barney the Burker was standing at the dock at Bow Street, the Duke of Marchmont was visiting Covent Garden Market, in order to purchase a handsome present of fruits and flowers as a present for Mrs. Oxenden, whom it was vitally important that he should conciliate by every means which suggested themselves — either by substantial bounties or by agreeable little attentions. While he was engaged in making those purchases, the rumour reached his ears that the notorious Burker had been arrested in a Jewish garb, and was then under examination at Bow Street. Foran instant a cold terror seized upon the Duke of Marchmont: but the next mo- ment he refiected that the prisoner would not ecarcely for his own sake—and at least not in this early stage of the proceedings—confess to other crimes than that with which he was charged: for the same person who mentioned in tho fruiterer’s shop the circumstance of the Burker’s capture, added that the magistrate was merely seeking to eatablish his identity in order to tranfer him to Liverpool. The Duke, having paid for his purchases, and intimated to what address they were to be sent, issued from the market. He dismissed his car- riage, which was waiting for him; and wandered for some little while about the adjacent streets, reflecting upon the course which it were expedient for him to pursue: for he felt how necessary it was that he should render the villain some kind of assistance if possible. At length his mind was made up; and he looked about him for a shop where articles of ironmongery were sold. He speedily found one; and entering it, made a variety of purchases, amounting to the value of several pounds. Hoe ordered them to be sent to his mansion in Belgrave Square,—at the same time depositing his card upon the counter to indicate who he was. Bat while the shopman, having made many obsequious bows on reading the name COMIC DOG ® _ $5 GCOU