The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 29: what you’re looking at

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16 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. obedience of complete lucidity, as well as of a heart full of gratitude towards the author of this renewed kindness on her behalf. * Now,” said Mr. Redoliffe, “a word with you, landlord !”"—and he beckoned the man into the parlour which he was occupying at the inn. “ Have you the courage to accompany me,” he inquired, “on a venture that will put one hundred pounds in your pocket ?” The landlord—who was a stout, powerfally built map, of about forty years of age—opened his eyes wide with astonishment; and then said, “ A bun- dred pounds, sir? I have courage to do anything for such a reward.” “Then come with me,” answered Redcliffe. “Procure a stout cord—breathe not a syllable to your wife—and the money will be yours. I will explain myself fully as we proceed.” But the landlord stood hesitating: he did not exactly know whether to believe that it was all right and straightforward or whether it were some lawless adventure into which his guest sought to drag him. “A felon has escaped from the hinds of jus- tice,” said Mr. Redcliffe quickly: “the Govern- ment has offered fifty pounds for his apprehension —the authorities of Liverpool a like sum—and all this reward shall be yours! Now will you accom- y mo?” “Cheerfally, sir,” answered the landlord, his hesitation vanishing in a moment: “and I beg your pardon . “ Enough !” interrupted Mr. Redcliffe. “Pro- cure the cord—conceal it about your person—and follow me without delay. I shall walk slowly through the village in the direction of the church- yard.” “ Bat would it not be better, sir,” inquired the landlord, “to take pistols with us?” “I have them,” rejoined Mr. Redcliffe: and unlocking a mahogany case, he produced a pair of swall double barrelled rifle pistols, which he at once secured about his person. He then issued forth from the room; and leaving the inn, proceeded slowly along the street. Ina few minutes he was joined by the landlord, who intimated that he had with him a cord whioh would effectually bind the miscreant’s limbs when he should be captured. He carried in his hand a stout staff or bludgeon: but Mr. Redcliffe said to him, “We must take the man alive: it is not for us to anticipate the blow which justice has to deal” “ And if in self-defence?” said the landlord. “That is different,” replied Mr. Redcliffe. “ And pray who may this man be, sir P’”’ “You have heard of the dreadful murder at Liverpool several months back—you know pro- bably that one of the assassins _—_—" “What! the notorious Barney the Burker P” ejaculated the landlord. “The very same,” returned Redcliffe: “and doubtless you have seen him too. Know you the assistant of your sexton here ?” “Well,” exclaimed the landlord, stopping sud- denly short, “if I didn’t always say that the fel. low had the most hang-dog countenance——” “Qome quick!” exclaimed Redcliffe; “or an- other murder may be committed ere our object be accomplished.” They walked on together ; and on coming within view of the old sexton’s cottage, they perceived a light glimmering through one of the ground-floor windows. At that very instant the form of a man paseed in front of that window, obscuring the light for moment and Redcliffe again said, “Come qa | The cottage stood in the midst of a little garden, separated by a low paling from the lane by which it was approached: the shed occupied by the Byrker was in a yard at the back. The lane it- self was bounded by a hedge, which ceased at the commencement of the paling ;—and there, within the shade of that hedge, Mr. Redcliffe and the landlord paused to reconncitre the premises. Some one was knocking at the door with his knuckles: they had no doubt it was the same person whom they had seen pass by the window—they suspected it might be the Barker—but they could not be sare, for there was a little portico formed with trellis-work and covered with jasmine, in the deep shade of which stood the person who was thus knooking at the cottage door. The Burker however it was; and we will for the present follow him and his proceedings. His coat was buttoned around him; and beneath it he had a crowbar concealed. The fellow had thought to do his murderous work thus early in the night for it wae little more than half-past ten—in order that he might have many hours in which to place a considerable distance between himself and Wood- bridge ere the foul deed should be discovered. As for Crazy Jano—if he found her not wandering in the neighbourhood after the accomplishment of the crime which he meditated, he would abandon his projects in respect to herself altogether, rather than waste valuable time and run additional risk by searching after her. Barney the Burker knocked, as we have said, at Jonathan Carnabie’s door. The old man was reading in his little parlour when the summons reached his ear; and taking up the light, he pro- ceeded as far as the door—which he did not how. ever 0 “Who is it?” he asked from within. “It’s me air,” replied the Burker ; and his voice wee near ee Mr. Redcliffe and the landlord— the latter of whom immediately recognising it (for he had on one ocoasion spoken to the man) ise mated the same in a low hurried whisper to Mr. Redcliffe. _ “Come,” said this gentleman, also in 4 whisper- ing tone, “let us creep stealthily along the paling :”” -—for he knew that if the fellow’s suspicions were excited, he would at once turn and fly. © “And what do you want?” asked Jonathan Carnabie from within. “ There's a message just come down from the’ illage,” responded the Burker; “and the boy Caine ueHE it is a-vaiting here to speak to you “And how came you up at this hour P” inquired Jonathan, still without opening the door: not that the old man ‘had any reason to suspect a sinister motive on the part of his assistant—but his long habit of self-seclusion, and perhaps the little cir- cumstance that he really did possess a small hoard } of gold, had rendered him particularily cautious. “I didn’t feel inclined to sleep,” answered the Burker ; “so I took a walk through the charch- ECOMmclooolkks COM