The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

296 THE COURT OF LONDON now work to save them; but the furtive glances which they stole at each other met at last and revealed to each how profoundly they were both suffering. But at length the grave was dug, and the two women assisted Frederick to ascend from its depth. The corpse of the Bow Street officer was then rolled into the hole, and the young man addressed himself to the task of shovelling back the earth which he had thrown up in two great mounds, one on each side of the grave. Every now and then he leaped into the hollow to trample down the soil; and the nearer its surface grew toward the level of the pavement, the more easily did Mrs. Brace and Harriet appear to breathe. The clock struck four as the footman trod down the last layer of earth; for the grave was now full, and still a large quantity of the soil remained heaped up by the side. But Frederick seemed fully prepared to encounter every embar- rassment which presented itself, and such an one as this was naturally foreseen by him from the very first. Having procured a large sheet, he spread it out upon the floor, threw the superfluous soil upon it, gathered up the four corners, and thus converted it into a sort of sack, which he was enabled to carry upon his shoulders. He then passed cautiously out into the back yard, and emptied the contents of the sheet into the privy. This operation he had to perform three times before the whole of the superfluous soil was fully disposed of. He was now well-nigh exhausted. The frequent applica- tions he made to Mrs. Brace’s excellent wine had hitherto sustained him throughout his arduous labours; but the effect of the artificial stimulant was beginning to produce a rapid reaction, and it was necessary to imbibe a considerable quantity ere he could muster energy sufficient to replace the huge stone over the mouth of the grave. This portion of the task was, however, accomplished at length; while Harriet compounded a mixture of white lead, sand, and earth, which she reduced by means of oil to the consistency of putty, and with which the flagstone was not only fixed in its setting, but the interstices were filled up. The back-kitchen was now swept carefully with a carpet- broom; and Frederick walked several times over the stone, treading upon it in every point, to assure himself that it was firmly placed and did not tremble beneath the feet. The (C(O) ANC 6)(0)(©) (CO)