The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

196 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘Proceed with your evidence, Mr. Sharply,’ said the magistrate. ‘““ T call Peter Grumley to the witness-box,” exclaimed the barrister, the expression of whose countenance was most mysteriously knowing. And Mr. Grumley, having entered the box, was duly sworn to the effect that the evidence he was about to give to the court should be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help him God. When this ceremony was accomplished, a stillness deep as that whieh follows a terrific rolling of thunder once more reigned in the police office; and inasmuch as the gentlemen of the long robe are amazingly fond of those proceedings the phases of which produce grand effects, Mr. Counsellor Sharply suffered at least a minute to elapse ere he chose to disturb a silence which in reality was characterized by an awe-inspiring solemnity. At length he drew his gown over his shoulders, and, addressing Peter Grumley, said, ‘‘ I believe you have been somewhere during the interval of the adjournment which just now took place? ”’ “Yes, sir,’ was the reply. ‘‘ Leastways me and my man Mobbs has been somevheres.”’ ‘“And whither have you been?” was the next leading question. “To Lord Marchmont’s House, in Hanover Square,” answered Grumley. “What did you do there? ” ‘“‘T searched the room which used to be occupied by the deceased William Dudley, and also the chamber belonging to the Honourable Mr. Eaton.” ‘““ But I believe you found nothing of any consequence in the former apartment? ” said Mr. Sharply. “No, sir, nothing,’’ was the response. ‘¢ And in the latter, that is to say, the bedchamber occu- pied by the Honourable Mr. Eaton — ”’ ‘‘T found something there, in a chest of drawers — ”’ “ Well, what was it?’ demanded Counsellor Sharply. “This blade of a knife,” returned Grumley, producing the object mentioned. The usher took it and handed it up to the magistrate, who immediately applied it to the knife which lay before COmicoooks CO)