The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 356: what you’re looking at

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

330 THE COURT OF LONDON kind friend who has been in the background all the while and who has interested himself in me?’ ‘ Well, well, my boy, perhaps I am,’ said I, ‘ perhaps I am, but I don’t say so, mind, and you must not ask me any more questions.’ That was the way I managed him, your Royal Highness,”’’ added Tash, ‘‘ for a man who can parry a thrust with a rapier is not likely to be at a loss to do the same with a searching question.” “ You acted most prudently, my dear fellow,” said the prince, laughing. ‘‘ Come, fill your tumbler again, and then proceed.” “This wine is excellent,’ observed Tash, when he had poured another quantum down his throat. He then went on to say, ‘‘ You see, sir, I played my part so well that the lad soon had confidence in me, and maybe he thought that I was either his father, or some very near relation, having particular reasons not to acknowledge him openly. How- ever, be that as it may, he certainly received the impression that I was the kind friend who had been in the background during his residence at the surgeon’s, and that I had at length come forward to take some decisive step respecting his future prospects.”’ “And of course you suffered that impression to remain upon his mind?” said his Royal Highness, interrogatively. “To be sure I did,’’ responded Tash. ‘‘ Was it not in obedience to the hints you had previously given me for my guidance in the matter? However, to make a long story as short as possible,’ continued the captain, “‘ I went on to explain the plan which was proposed for the future benefit of the youth. I told him that if he liked to go out to Jamaica, a comfortable situation in a mercantile house, with a good salary, was at his service in that island, that there was a ship then in the Downs to sail with the next fair wind, and that if he would go down with me to Deal and embark in that vessel, I would place a hundred guineas in his hands ere taking leave of him on board. I showed him the letter from the London branch of the Jamaica house, guaranteeing the situation, and I also showed him the money. He did not take many minutes to consider, but gave his consent with joy and gratitude. The business being thus settled, I sent and ordered a post-chaise, and away we sped into — Kent. We reached Deal that evening, and went at once to COMmiclooo® S (CO) im