The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 179: what you’re looking at

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164 THE to look for the key—and indeed I found it immedi- ately. But I pretended not to be able to find it, and secreted it in my dress while still groping about in the mud. At length the search was abandoned— and, the landlady having promised to sit up till two for the baronet, he thanked her and took his depar- ture. Heseems a generous man—for he gave me half-a-crown for my trouble in searching after the key.” “ This is better than we could have expected !” ex- claimed the Magsman. You have managed ad- mirably, Julia. Where is the key 2” “ Here,” she answered, handing him the object of his inquiry. The reader scarcely requires to be informed that Julia acted in this manner with regard to the latch- key in order tosupport the statement which she had been making; and in that aim she fully succeeded. “Now, how many people live in the house where you have been?’ demanded the Magsman. “ The landlady is there alone at present,” was the reply. ‘ She is without a servant—and she was com- plaining bitterly to me about the badness of the times, observing that Sir Richard Stamford was the only lodger she had, and that she had two floors to let.” “ Our course is as easy and plain as it well can be,” observed the Magsman. “ Briggs, the Beggarman, me, and Julia will go over there without delay. We shall want Julia to show us the right house, so that there may be no infernal mistake. The latch-key will admit us—and we shall bind and gag the land- lady. When Sir Richard knocks at the door, Julia will open it. He will readily believe that she is the new servant, after seeing her there this evening. The rest will be managed quietly enough.” “Then I shall stay here till you return, Joe,” said the Gallows’ Widow. “Certainly: and so will our two friends here,” added the man, glancing towards Martin and Ram- sey. “There’s plenty of lush in the cupboard—isn’t there, Briggs ?” “ Plenty,” was the answer. “ And you can therefore make yourselves comfort- able,” said the Magsman, addressing himself to his mistress and the two partners. “ Come—we'll be off There’s not much time to lose.” Thus speaking, the villain rose from his seat; and drawing a pistol from each pocket in his coat, he as- sured himself that the weapons were primed and ready for use. This example was followed by the Big Beggarman, who was equally well armed; while Briggs put on his own upper-garment and likewise secured a brace of pistols about his person. Julia could not avoid shuddering as she beheld those menacing’ instruments: for the thought flashed to her mind, that should her treachery be suspected at the moment when the attack was made on the party,a bullet from one of the weapons might be the only recompense she was likely to ob- tain from the adventure. Butshe had gone too far to retract; and, instantly summoning all her cou- rage, which was by no means trivial, to her aid, she prepared to accompany the three villains, But the lynx eyes of the Gallows’ Widow had no- ticed that cold tremor which had passed over her, evanescent as it was;—and advancing straight up to her, she fixeda piercing look upon her counte- nance, saying, “ You are afraid, Julia !” * Not a whit,” was the calm and firm response, MYSTERIES. - while the gaze was met as steadily and unflinch- ingly. “ What's the matter, Lizzy?” demanded the Magsman. “ Julia trembled—that’s all,’ replied the woman, in a tone indicative of suspicion. “J don’t think I did,” said Mrs. Page, with a voice and manner that bespoke confidence: “ but if I did, it was because I might not at the moment feel exactly comfortable respecting the work which those pistols are perhaps destined to perform be- fore morning.” “Ym sorry if I wronged you, Julia,” said the Gal- lows’ Widow, her suspicions now subsiding. “ But as no one amongst us ever trembles through fears I thought it must be through some other cause.” “Tf you suspect me of any evil intent, you’d bet- ter go and personate the servant yourself,” ex- claimed Julia, with well-affected indignation. “It’s too bad when I’ve done all I could, and have been praised for what I have done, to be insulted in this manner.” “ Come, come—be friends, you women,” growled the Magsman, impatiently. ‘ You’re too suspicious, Lizzy—and yow’re too timid, Julia.” “Remember that affair of Page, the commercial traveller,” said the Gallows’ Widow; “ and then tell me that Iam too suspicious. However, I don’t want to be unjust towards Julia—and I therefore now declare to her that I am satisfied.” “Oh! I am not vindictive,” exclaimed Julia “You are right tobe on your guard. But time will show whether I am to be trusted or not. Here’s my hand, Mrs. Warren.” “ And here’s mine, Julia,” responded the Gallows’ Widow. She held Mrs. Page’s hand in her own for nearly a minute: and finding that it trembled not, her suspicions were completely lulled. This little scene, which for a moment appeared to menace Julia with a terrible danger, having taken place, glasses of raw spirit were handed round ; and the Beggarman, Briggs, the Magsmar, and Mrs. Page issued forth together. The night was very dark; and the rain was now falling heavily. So silent were the court and the street into which it led, that Julia felt assured the sounds of the men’s heavy footsteps would give the constables ample warning of their approach, where- ever those functionaries might be concealed. Briggs and the Beggarman went a little way in advance: the Magsman and Julia walked side by side a few paces in their rear. Not a word was spoken ;—and they proceeded at a rapid rate. But just at the moment when the little party were turning the corner at the end of the street, Briggs and the Beggarman were suddenly seized upon by four constables, who overpowered them in an instant. “Treachery, by God!” vociferated the Mags- man; and, as the words fell from his lips, he aimed a tremendous blow at Julia with the butt-end of one of his pistols. But she glided away the instant that the scuffle infront met her ears ;—and the next moment the Magsman was pinioned from behind, by the strong ‘rasp of Mobbs himself, while another official passed a noose over his neck, which, falling round his body outside his arms, fastened them to his sides and rendered him thus far powerless. com ElOOOKS. COI