The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 194: what you’re looking at

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

168 THE COURT OF LONDON with the lantern in his hand, at the instant she struck the blow; and consequently she was well aware, when striking it, that she must save herself by flight the moment afterward and could not remain to rifle her victim. Mr. Eaton like- wise stated that Miss Foster was a total stranger to him; nor had he ever heard her name mentioned by William Dudley, much less seen them together. One of the labourers who had arrested Rose was then examined; and he stated the circumstance under which he and his companions had been induced to detain her. Mr. Counsellor Sharply now elicited the important fact. that whereas it was by a passage running in a northern direction from the courtyard that Mr. Eaton had seen the female figure disappear, it was on the southern side of the building that Rose Foster was flying so precipitately when she was encountered and captured by the labourers. A surgeon who had examined the body of the deceased was now summoned, and he described the nature of the wound which had caused his death. He likewise produced the weapon with which the fatal deed was accomplished, and he declared that the blow must have been inflicted by an arm that was either endowed with great strength, or else nerved at the moment by the most malignant passions. At this declaration all eyes were turned upon Rose Foster, and every one felt how inconsistent the black deed was with the ingenuousness stamped upon that sweet, pensive countenance, and how incompatible was its violence with the grace and lightness of that rounded arm. ‘‘ Hand me the weapon, if you please, sir,”’ said Counsellor Sharply to the surgeon. This demand was instantaneously complied with; and the barrister observed that it was a large clasp-knife origi- nally provided with two blades, but one of which had been broken close off at the haft. The other, which had inflicted the death-wound, was about six inches long, pointed like a dagger, and sharp as a razor. While turning this weapon over and over in his hand, and affecting to regard it with the closest scrutiny, though in reality only gaining time to rack his imagination what. question to ask next, the counsellor suddenly observed something on the handle which induced him to ask for a. towel and some water. ‘These were speedily brought, and Eo AG 6)(0)©) (C(O) > rhe “ie. ae —" 1 “ Se