The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 321: what you’re looking at

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

THE OLD FENCE’S ABODE 295 Coffin was in it, and that the officers were looking after him.” ‘“ That scoundrel the Buttoner!”’ growled the Hangman, in a low tone of condensed ferocity. ‘‘ By Satan! I wouldn’t mind swinging if I could only be revenged on him.”’ “ Oh, don’t talk in that horrid manner, Daniel!” ex- claimed Sally Melmoth, crying. ‘“‘ Well, go on,”’ he observed. ‘‘ What did you do next? ”’ ‘“‘ [hastened back from the Folly Bridges as quick as ever I could to Fleet Lane,’’ she continued, wiping her eyes, “ and there I found Taggarty. I didn’t know where to make an appointment to meet you, but I thought that this place would be the best, and I’ll tell you why. Because,’ continued the young woman, “‘ Larry Sampson knows very well how prudent and cautious and particular in all his doings old Jeremy is, and he would no more think of looking for you beneath this roof than in the king’s palace. There will be a& precious hue and cry to-morrow, or, rather, presently,’ for the new day has begun already some time, and you must lay up in lavender as close as ever you can till the storm has so far blown over that you can get away to France.”’ “ What, then, do you propose? That I should stay here for awhile?’”’ asked the Hangman, evidently well pleased with the suggestion. ‘ But old Jeremy won’t allow it.”’ ‘““ Nonsense, Daniel! How can he prevent it? ’”’ exclaimed Sally Melmoth. ‘ You tell him you must stay here for a day or two, and then when once he is implicated in concealing you at all, even for a few hours, he won’t dare turn around upon you, because he would be getting himself into trouble for having harboured you. Besides, a miserable, timid old man like him, that you can blow out of existence with a breath, won’t dare oppose your will. So you can force yourself upon him, and he must do his best to conceal you.”’ “Trust a woman for ready wit and invention! ”’ exclaimed the Hangman. ‘ You argue like a philosopher, Sal, and your advice shall be adopted. But I say, are you sure that you wasn’t followed, coming up here just now? ” ‘““T am sure of it,’? answered Sally, — “‘ at least as sure as a person well could be in such a case. But tell me, is there anything you want done?” “Nothing particular at present. You had better not come near me again for some days, ’cause why, a watch is Sai nin