The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

a a ee ee . | Ae elie SAN yh mk a et a ace —— aceon sa a = ee I ————— eee pea MR. PAGE AND MR. HODSON 47 “Do you want the — the bills at once — I mean directly, gir? ’’ stammered Page, wishing that the floor would open and swallow up either himself or his master, he did not care which at the moment. ‘“To be sure I do,’ was the answer, delivered with a mix- ture of indignation and amazement. “Then, sir, I must throw myself upon your mercy,” returned Page, a cold tremor coming over him, “ for I shall not be able to give them to you until to-morrow morning — or perhaps to-night at ten o'clock.” “The devil you won’t! — and why not?”’ ejaculated Mr. Hoason. ‘‘ Come, sir — speak out at once! I see that there is some mystery in all this.” ‘There is indeed, sir,” cried Page; ‘‘ and I hope you will not be angry with me. But the truth is I was robbed — ”’ ‘“ Robbed! ”’ repeated the merchant, now eying his trav- eller with unmistakable suspicion. ‘“‘ Then, why did you not tell the truth at once? ”’ ‘‘ Because I was afraid of your being angry, sir,’’ was the answer; ‘‘and I have every expectation of recovering the bills this night. The thief agreed to deliver them up on re- ceiving fifty guineas; and he has made an appointment with me to that effect.”’ “And you will, of course, give him into custody? ”’ said Mr. Hodson, not knowing precisely what to make of this story. ‘“T don’t dare do it, sir!’ exclaimed Page, with a strong emphasis. ‘‘ The villain assured me that if I attempted anything of the kind, I should have a bullet through my head. Besides, he is not to come himself, but will send a young woman dressed in black.” “ Justice cannot be thus cheated of its due, Mr. Page,” observed the merchant, in a severe tone. ‘ Granting all you have told me to be strictly true, there is a certain line of conduct to be adopted in this case, and which our duty to society renders imperative. Put on your hat, sir, and come with me.” The wretched commercial traveller dared not offer any objection to this command; and he accordingly followed Mr. Hodson, who strode out of the hotel with all the purse- proud pompousness of his nature. The way that he took was the most direct to Bow Street; and on arriving there, he requested an audience of Mr. Peter Grumley, who was (C(O) aml Doo (CO)