The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 311: what you’re looking at

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

THE GATHERING OF A STORM 285 Young’s hand. Then striking all about at random, thus doing serious injury, and even breaking bones, the Hangman re- gained the front door, sprang forth, and hurried away ‘as quickly as his legs would carry him. His ideas being all in confusion, he instinctively sped in the direction of Jacob’s Island; but as he neared that spot the thought suddenly struck him that there might be danger there. He accordingly turned aside, took another direction, gained London Bridge, traversed it, and reaching the City, hastened along toward Fleet Lane. But while pursuing his way, his ideas began to settle them- selves in his mind, and it struck him that if there were danger for him at Jacob’s Island, there might be likewise peril at his own house; that is to say, if the Buttoner had peached and the constables were on the lookout, he would stand the same chance of being arrested in Fleet Lane as at Bencull’s crib. He stopped short, and stood irresolute how to act. He felt as if the crisis of his destiny were at hand. What could he do? The very worst was to be apprehended. Everything seemed to indicate that the Buttoner had al- ready peached relative to Nell Gibson’s murder, or that he meant to do so. Else why should he and the women have sought to detain him? The Hangman turned into one of the narrow streets lead- ing down toward Cripplegate, and entering a low boozing- ken, he went into the public-room, sat down, and called for liquor and a pipe. No one besides himself happened to be in the room at the time, and he was glad to have this oppor- tunity of deliberating seriously upon the course which he should pursue. Taking a draught of the liquor which was provided, and lighting his pipe, he set himself to think. But his reflections brought no comfort. Dangers stared him in the face, and he who had twined the halter around the neck of so many now felt as if it were twining around his own. He thought of flying from London, but whither could he vo? He knew full well that it would be difficult to disguise himself, and that if a hue and cry were raised, his recognition would be inevitable. Besides, he did not happen to have much money in his pocket at the time, and he was well aware how impossible it was to get on without a plentiful supply of the needful. He determined, therefore, to stay in London, (CCO)LAN) GDoo <Si in