The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

240 THE COURT OF LONDON taken by the welcome intelligence received from the con- stable. ‘‘ But pray be seated, and help yourself to whatever you fancy,” she observed, pointing toward a chair and glanc- ing at the table on which there were decanters of wine and the spirit-stand. ‘“ Thank’ee, ma’am,” said Grumley; “ and with your per- mission I’ll mix myself a glass of hot brandy and water, just to take the chill out of my stomach.” “Do so,”’ returned Mrs. Brace; ‘“ and tell me all that has occurred to-day.” “The thing has been managed as nice as possible,” said Mr. Grumley, after having taken two or three experimental sips at the grog which he had just brewed; and smacking his lips in unalloyed approval of the beverage, he continued thus: “I all along knowed the evidence was so dead against her that it would be impossible to get her off by fair means, and I told you as much yesterday evening at Bow Street. So I had a plan cut and dried to save her by stratagem. In short, I resolved that she should ask the magistrate to let her visit the house in Fore Street for the purpose of procuring testi- mony to prove her innocence; and, when once there, I was determined that she should either jump out of the winder of her own accord, or else I meant to put her out.” ‘““Good God!” ejaculated the milliner, trembling all over and gasping for breath; ‘‘ you do not mean to say — that is — you would not have me believe that — that you — murdered her? ”’ | “There wasn’t no necessity for that, ma’am,’’ answered Grumley. ‘‘ The winder, as p’raps you know, looks on the Thames, and my plan was to have a boat in readiness to pick the young gal up, and a disguise in the boat for her to assume without delay.” ‘And was this extraordinary plan realized? ’”’ demanded Mrs. Brace, shuddering as she fancied she beheld the unfor- tunate girl, Caroline Walters, struggling in the waters of the rapid stream. ‘ Realized, and with triumphant success, as they say upon the playbills,” answered Grumley. ‘‘ Miss Walters jumped out as courageous as a diver and as light as a cat, and the boat picked her up in a moment. Then me and my man Mobbs rushed out of the room, raised an alarm, and pre- tended to be quite distracted at the hawful occurrence. We Gomi re) NOOKS.