The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. the Beggarman for the little accident,” added Briggs, with a significant look ;—“ for the fact is, the Ayles- bary bankers can’t very well do without our assist- ance at this moment.” “Then Mr. Ramsey has quite recovered 2” said Julia. “Oh! quite. But he considers it safe to remain here fora day or two longer—particularly as Mr. Martin is in town and can come and consult with him when it’s necessary,” continued Briggs. “ Martin will be here to-night at twelye ;—and we shall have aregular council of war.” _ Atthis moment there was an impatient knock at the street-door; and Briggs, bidding Julia not to distarb herself, hastened to answer the summons. ' GSAh! Mr. Martin—is that you?” said the man, surprised at the appearance of the banker scvcral hours before the appointed time. “Has anything happened? But walk in.” And Briggs led the way inta the parlour where Julia was seated. | “Me Martin drew back on perceiving a strange woman: but Briggs hastened to observe, “It’s all right, sir. She's one of our party—and you may speak before her.” The Aylesbury banker, who was a man well Stricken in years and of a most respectable exterior, threw himself upon a chair: for he was evidently | exhausted ;—and, laying aside his hat and cloak, he | sad, “Is Mr. Ramsey above ?” “He is, sir. Shall I call him down?” asked Briggs. Martin nodded an assent; and the man imme- diately summoned Ramsey to the parlour. * This young woman is the daughter of old Light- ' foot, who's dead,” said Briggs; “and therefore we need have no secrets from her.” “Has anything happened ?” demanded Ramsey, with feverish impatience, and addressing himself ' tohis partner. “ You look care-worn—anxious— annoyed ——” “Annoyed indeed !” exclaimed Martin, in a tone of despair : then, instantly recovering his self-pos- Session by a violent effort, he said, “Sir Richard Stamford is in Loudon |” | “Ah! then he is about to open the campaign ! against us,” said Ramscy, a dark cloud coming over | bis handsome countenance, which was pale through recent iliness and much anxiety. “He must be conscious of his power—he must possess some weapons which we do not suspect: or he would not venture in the metropolis, with the reward for his apprehension hanging over his head.” “Doubtless he has received from his wife a confession of all she knew,” answered Martin, solemnly. “No—no—I would stake my existence that she Would not betray me,” exclaimed Ramsey. “ Having survived the blow which she inflicted on herself— ' and with every chance of recovering——_” ' “You are talking at random,” interrupted Mar- tin, impatiently. “She is dead !” “Dead” ejaculated Ramsey. “ When did she die?—how have you learnt this fact ?” “She died the day before yesterday—early in | the morning,” answered Martin; “and the fact is | tecorded in the journals of this date.” “Then in her last moments may she have con- fessed *” murmured Ramsey. “Fool that I was to entrust her with so many of our scerets! But wheie ei 159 did you see Sir Richard Stamford ?—or how do you know that he is in London ?” “ Because | Aave seen him,” responded the senior partner. “I vas coming out of a coffec-house in Blackmun §Strect, Borough, where [ had just read in the newspapers an account of Lady Stam- ford’s death—when I saw Sir Richard Stamford enter a house not far from St. George’s Church. He did not perceive me--and I waited about for some time to see if he came out again; as in that case, I should have kaocked at the door and asked if he lived there. But he did not re-appear—and, my anxiety increasing to such a pitch that it be- came intolerable, J hastenod hither to tell you what occurred.” “Well, at all events wo have obtained a clue to his residence, or else to a house which he is iu the habit of visiting,” gaid Ramsey. ¢ An idea strikes me!” ejaculated Briggs. “It is of the utmost importance, for the plan which will be settled upon to-night, that we should find ont whether the baronet does live at that house which you saw him entcr. Jn any case, we must learn who and what the people are that live there: because, if we could obtain admission by fair means anyhow,” he added, sinkirg his voice to a low and mysterious whisper, “we could do the work easy enough. What do you say 2” “Your plan ia excellent,” answered Ramsey. “But wha can go and make the necessary in- quiries? §Gome trustworthy and intelligent per- gon——” “Julia, you wl undertake this missjon ?” inter- rupted Briggs, turning suddenly towards the young woman, who, though affecting to be leaning in a listless manner over the fire, had not lost a single word of the preceding conversation. “ What ?” she exclaimed, raising her head and looking towards Briggs. “Did you speak to me?” “Yes: | have something for you to do immedi- diately :” then, putting money into her haud, he said, “ You will go to the nearest stand and take a coach. Drive over into Blackman Street—and at a house which this gentleman,” continued Briggs, pointing to Martin, “ will describe to you, you must ascertain whether a certain Sir Richard Stamford lives there—and, if not, who does occupy the place. Endeavour to get inta conversation with the servant, or the landlady —or whoever you may seo——" “T shall know how to manage it,” observed Julia, in her quiet way. “Where is this house, sir ?—and what number is it?” Mr. Martin described the dwelling with accu- racy. “ And you will be sure to return by twelve to- night at latest,” said Briggs, impressively. “1 shall not fail you,” auswered Julia. She then took her departure, and hastened to Tower Hill, whence a hackney-coach conveyed her over London Bridge to the lodgings which her husband and herself occupied in Blackman Street. On ascending to the parlour she found Sir Richard Stamford in earnest conversation with Mr. Page: but the moment that she entered, they both turned looks of anxious inquiry upon her. “1 have succeeded—fully succeeded,” observed Julia, as she laid aside her bonnet and cloak. “ ‘To- night the whole gang will be in your power—not even excepting Martin and Ramsey.” - ee eee —— COMNGROO S COMM