The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

THE EXAMINATION 169 in the midst of a breathless silence did he with his own hand wash away the blood that was encrusted upon the buckhorn handle of the knife. Then, having examined it with a real attention, he whispered something to Mr. Peter Grumley, who in his turn scrutinized the knife with a vivid keenness of look; and his man Mobbs was next admitted to this consultation, the nature of which, although it took place in open court, was still confined to the three persons who were engaged in it. Mobbs shook his head knowingly, Grumley whispered to: the counsellor, and the learned gentleman himself, drawing his gown over his shoulders with a very important air, addressed the magistrate in the following terms: “From something which has transpired, your worship, and which it will be inconvenient to mention at this stage of the proceedings, I have to request that the examination be postponed for about a couple of hours. It is now two o’clock, and if your worship would not object to take the case again at four — ”’ ‘““T can have no objection to accede to the learned gentle- man’s request,” observed the magistrate. Counsellor Sharply then looked significantly at Grumley and Mobbs, both of whom disappeared immediately from the police office. ““ Now,’ exclaimed the learned gentleman, wrapping up the knife in a piece of brief-paper, ‘‘ I have to request your worship to retain this weapon locked up in your desk until the renewal of the examination.” This demand was likewise acceded to; and the counsellor then wrote a few words upon a slip of paper, which he folded carefully and handed to the magistrate. This functionary read its contents with evident surprise, and for a few mo- ments appeared uncertain how to act. Meantime Rose Foster and all the spectators were gazing upon him with the most breathless suspense and even torturing interest; for it was quite clear that some incident of vital importance had developed itself infavour of the young and beautiful ac-. cused. ‘If your worship hesitates,’’ said Counsellor Sharply, in a determined but respectful tone, ‘‘ I shall make the demand not only aloud, but in a far more formal manner.”’ ‘“ Perhaps this proceeding will be the best, Mr. Sharply,’” (Gi ®) Anyi