The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

214 THE COURT OF LONDON all events, while labouring under some aberration of the intellect.” “Well, I suppose that’s about the long and short of the matter,’’ said the constable. ‘‘ You now understand, ma’am, at all events, that the discovery of the blade of the knife was as regular and straightfor’ard a transaction on the part of me and Mobbs as such a thing could possibly be. The truth is that although I’d go a great way to get a person off, no matter whether innocent or guilty, yet I wouldn’t for the world play any tricks to shove the load of guilt on to the shoulders that ought not to bear it. In Miss Foster’s case, I let things take their natural course, so that I might see what would turn up; and if circumstantial evidence had borne her down altogether, then I should have began to consider how I was to save her. But as her innocence transpired in the regular way, I was not called upon to step out of the usual path. So much for that case; but with respect to t’other.”’ ‘Caroline Walters, you mean?” exclaimed Mrs. Brace; then, as a sudden gloom spread over her countenance, she observed, “‘ I cannot, for the life of me, comprehend how you hope to save that unfortunate girl.” ‘““Haven’t I promised that she should be saved?” de- manded Grumley, in that tone of dogged confidence which men of his class and stamp are so apt to assume when they are impressed with the conviction of their ability to achieve a particular end. ‘You have promised, certainly,’’ returned Mrs. Brace; éé but eee ‘‘ And isn’t there another five hundred guineas to be paid over to me, if I succeed? ”’ exclaimed the constable. “Yes, and the sum shall be forthcoming with as much pleasure as promptitude on my part,” rejoined the milliner. “Then don’t be under any apprehension, ma’am,”’ said Grumley. ‘ What I have undertaken to do, I shall perform; and you'll have to pay me over the five hundred yaller boys to-morrow night. But I give you due warning that the evi- dence is, so strong against Caroline Walters, it will be im- possible to get her off by fair means.”’ ‘T care not how the affair is managed, so that she be rescued from the grasp of justice,’”’ exclaimed the milliner. ‘“‘ But why did not her case come on to-day before the Lam- beth justices of peace? ”’ CORNICLOO© (©)