The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE HOME OFFICE 67 miscuously and saying nothin’ to nobody, when we see a rayther stout gentleman in the shop of Mrs. Brace, the highly respectable milliner. Well — ” ‘“‘ Merciful Heavens! ”’ exclaimed Meagles, who as well as his co-accused had hitherto been held speechless with amazement at the tremendous falsehood of the constable’s preface, ‘‘ so far from the prince being in the shop — ” “Silence, prisoner! ’’ said the under-secretary, sternly; “you will have an opportunity of cross-examining the witness presently.” ‘Very good, sir,’ observed Meagles, bowing respectfully. ‘“‘ Don’t answer me, sir, I tell you! ” vociferated the under- secretary, flying into a passion. ‘Your conduct is anything but like that of an innocent man, Mr. Meagles,”’ said the chief magistrate of Bow Street, coldly and sternly. ‘“‘ The impression ‘you have already made on my mind is most unfavourable to you,’ added the attorney-general, with a look full of hatred and spite at both the prisoners. “Gentlemen, I can assure you —”’ began Meagles, more surprised than indignant at the observations just made, for he was wondering in what manner he could have offended so grievously and likewise so prejudicially to his own interests. ‘‘ Silence, once for all!” ejaculated the under-secretary. ‘“‘ Or we shall be compelled to have you removed and go on with the evidence in your absence,” observed the chief magistrate of Bow Street. Meagles bit his lip almost till it bled, for he could scarcely _ repress a violent outburst of indignation at the cowardly bullying to which he was being subjected; while James Mel- moth found it equally difficult to restrain the fury that was boiling within him, and the effort to subdue which rent his very heart-strings with an excruciating anguish. ‘Go on, Bax, with your statement,’ said the chief magis- trate of Bow Street. ‘“‘ Well, gentlemen,” resumed the witness, “ I was inform- ing your honours how me and my two partners was a-walk- ing promiscuously along Pall Mall when we see a rayther stout gentleman in Mrs. Brace’s shop. At fust his back was toward the door; but presently he turned around, and then we twigged — ”’ (C(O) Anyi } KS \