The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 284: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 278 PR NS NT Re eee Sr A Le “You are a constable ?” she said; “ and it is your duty, I believe, to assist the law and further the cause of juatioe ?” The officer replied in the affirmative: but he was not alittle astonished at the modo in which he was thus addressed—especially as through the blue gauze he caught a glimpse of a countenance which, though with a dusky complexion, was nevertheless of extraordinary beauty. “I have some information to give respecting a great offender,” proceeded ah: “ but I have learnt and read enough of your English customs to be aware that I must address myself to a magistrate. ‘Will you.conduct me to one P” For a moment the suspicion flitted through the officer’s brain that it was rather to a lunatio- asylum than into the presence of a magistrate that the ayah ought to be conducted: but still there was something sufficiently collected in her speech to stagger him. No. 87.—Fourrm Suxizs, “ What ie this information that you havo to give?” he inquired, “ I will only tell it to a fanctionary competent to act upon it,” was Sagoonah’s responee ; “ and therefore if you will not at once take mo to a magistrate, 1 must address myself to some other person.” “Come with me, if you please,” said the officer : and he conducted her to the nearest station-house. There Sagoonah repeated to the Inspector what she had said to the police-constable; and the In- spector, taking her into a private room, questioned her more closely. Without telling him everything, sho nevertheless said sufficient to induce him to proceed farther in the matter; and ordering a cab to be summoned, he escorted the ayah to the i in Bow Street. There he introduced her to the magistrate, who gave her an audience in his private room. She now no longer hesitated to tell all she knew ; and both the Magistrate and comicibooks.conm