The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 127: what you’re looking at

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—_e——- oe = Ss += = - ——_ Pil anted, I should soon be bringing the Bow Street runners about him. The older he got, the more frightened he grew. But he needn’t have enter- tained such fears for me. I have seen too much to act with anything lke a flagrant impradence. And therefore, I tell you again that we may use this money, if we do it cautiously.” “It would really be a sin to forego such a chance,” said Page, in a musing manner: “ especially after having made a successful beginning with the four pieces that we changed to-day. Besides, after all the vapouring and boasting at Hodson and Morley’s, it would be wretched indeed to find ourselves taken down so many pegs. The coin is certainly admira- ble,” he observed, balancing one of the spurious guineas on the tip of his fore-finger. “ Admirable!” repeated Julia: “EI am verw sure that not even an officer of the Mint himset could deteot it, untess he cut it in two. The weight is the same—there’s a thin coating of gold all ovor—and it is cast in one oi the Mint dies. My father was turned out of the Society of Friends oh account of losing nis place at the Mint through being suspected of stealing the moulds. But tne authorities could not bring it home to him-—and so he escaped punishment.” | “And this letter,” observed Page, taking from the pocket-book the one that bore the Ayiesbury post-mark, and that related to the manner ia which the “goods,” were to be packed and sent,—“ this letter, I suppose, referred to some transactiun re- specting a supply of spurious coin ? ' .“ Yes: the Magsman managed the ‘ob—and my father coined the money. Three thousand guincas were first despatched to Aylesbury; and § auantity inore was ordered. But for some reason which I never heard, this second supply was noé sent. i dare say,” added Julia, “ that it 1s to this circum- stance we are indebted for the possession ot the amonnt in that cupboard.” “ VYee—I see by this letter that the bankers in- tended to have a second remittance of three thousand in six months,” said Page. “That would have been on the 17th of last September: but I suppose that they got frightened and revoked the bargain. How- ever, all this does not relate to our awn affairs. What we must now do is to endeavour te negotiate with Lady Letitia Lade or Mr. Meagles for the sale of all the papers concerning Hannah Lightfoot’s busmess ; and then we will pay a visit to Aylesbury to discover, if possible, a certain Richard Stamford, to whom we can be of great use.” “In what way ?” asked Julia. “ He was the gentleman wha was confined with me in the cellar underneath that house adjoining your own in the court,” returned Page “But I will tell you all about that baronet aud his misfortunes.” Mr. Page then proceeded to narrate to his wife those circumstances in comnexion with Sir Richard Stamford which are already known to the reader ; and we will now leave the worthy couple to discuss their schemes and their brandy simultaneously— which they did until the clock struck midnight. ___ —_ -_— oo eet oo ——— ht oo oe en we THE MYSTERIES. CHAPTER XXXL MR. RAMSEY. In the meantime scenes of interest were taking place elsewhere ; for in the early part of this same evening on which Mr. and Mrs Page were thus discoursing and enjoying themselves, a tall, handsome, genteel man, envelaped in an ample cloak, landed from a wherry in the immediate neighbourhood of Horsly- down, and, having dismissed the boat, sped rapidly towards the ‘aStafl This individual was about eight-and-twenty years of age. His figure was slight, but admirably pro- portioned, and by no means deficient in strength: his features were regular and of the Grecian cast ;—his complexion was of a clear qlive—and it would be impossible to imagine finer eyes or more beautiful teeth on the part of one of the sterner sex. His mannexs were prepossessing, eyen to fascination ; and there was so refined—nay, even 90 npble an expres- sion in the ensemble of his countenance, that an server would have unhegtatingiy marked him as one eminently ca:cu.ated to e friends with men and conquests amongst women, It was about seven o'clock, and the evening was very dark, when this individual landed on the ‘bank of tne Thames in the vicinity of Horslydown, A few. minutes rapid walking brought him to the Beg- gar’s Stat, the exterior of which he however surveyed tor & few seconds ere he crossed the threshold, as if to assure himself that it was the place which had bee described tohim, Satisfied with this briet scruti boudlly entered the boozing-ken, and found himself im he midst or g motley company which seemed ta he the rakings of all the wilest dregs of g vile neigh- bourhood. The Big Beggarman Camas WaT agry- ing at the bar; and to Sn ik bien dress a whispered inquiry fox Mr. Joseph Warren. “ Who are you?” demanded the Big Beggarman, eyeing his querist suspiciously. “ My name ig Ramsey—Philip Ramsgey of Ayles- bury,” was the immediate response. “Oh! that’s all right!" chimed ip tty Poll * You're nos unknown ta ug, sir,” abe added, with a sly smile. “ Please to walk d;"—and, she opened the little gate which Jed bebi whence the liquors were dis of the party that managed the spme at Stamford Manor a little while back.” . “Then you are dophtless a friend and interjected the; confidant of Joseph Warren ?” “ Better knowed as the Magaman,” i is my business—and what's my business is his'2.” “Ie he to be saen now ?” inquired Ramsey, whose countenance wore an expression of deep anxiety. OONRANKA ateilo) S COMM