The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. -Chiffin alone in a private room ; and as the ruffian’s countenance was too diabolical to betray any deeper villany than those crimes which had already stamped it with their Cain-brand, Ralph could glean little or nothing from his looks. “Well, is the deed done?” he immediately asked; for suspense was torturing him. “Tt is—and well done,” answered Chiffin, in the hollow sepulchral voice that was natural to him : “too well done to want doing over again.” “Give me the particulars,” said Farefield, now experiencing strange sensations of mingled hope and terror, joy and alarm—a terrible state of feel- ing which made the frame glow with a heat and yet ehiver with a chill at the same time, as if the veins ran lightning while an ice-snake coiled itself round the body. “Oh! the story is short enough, answered Chiffin, who was making his shabby white hat, with a black crape, turn round on the top of his huge bludgeon, as he lolled negligently in a Windsor chair. “I and the other chaps met according to appuintment at the village down yonder; and hav- ing settled our plans, we dispersed ourselves about in the neighbourhood of the castle, hiding ourselves in such places as were convenient. Three or four days passed before we could do anything, as the baby was only taken out in the carriage along with the old lord and his wife. And by the bye, isn’t her ladyship a beauty? But of course you know her ?” “T have not seen her for some years,” answered Ralph impatiently. ‘“ Never mind such matters as those: tell me what nearest concerns me.” “Well then, when four or five days had passed and nothing was done, I began to grow uncomfort- able; for I thought that four queer-looking gentle- men like me and my mates lurking about in the neighbourhood, might seem suspicious: so I made them tramp off to a distance, while I stayed to do the business by myself.” “ Ah! that was more politic!” exclaimed Ralph. “ But go on.” “Well, as luck would have it,” continued the Cannibal, “the very next day, at about three o’clock in the afternoon, the two nurse- maids came out to walk near the river. The three children were with ’em. One of them carried the baby: the other one carried the next child; and the third little brat—the eldest, of course—walked by the side of the maid who was carrying her sister. There was I, hid safe enough in the midst of a clump of trees, watching my opportunity to spring just like a wild beast in one of those Indian jungles that I used to read about when I was at school. Well, the nursemaid carrying the baby came on in front; and the other lagged behind. The very thing that I wanted: nothing could be better! So I waited till the maid with the baby had rounded the clump of trees, if you understand, in such a way that she was hid by them from the view of Ler com- panion. Then I sprang out with a black mask over my face. My eyes! what a squeal the girl gave !— | and as I snatched the child from her, she dropped down just as if she was shot. killed stone dead with fright, or only fell into a swoon, I don’t know,” added Chiffin coolly, “ and dun’t much care. You may depend upon it, I eidn’t wait to sea.” Whether she was | 7 ~ © Goon, go on,” said Ralph, with feverish im- patience. “Ah! I did go on then, too!” continued the Cannibal, with a grin. ‘“ You should have seen me scud along the bank of the river with the child in my arms—that’s all! I don’t suppose I looked very paternal though. However, there I was, cut- ting along at a break-neck rate: but soon reaching a wood, I stopped and rested myself. Then I cut away again; and when I thought that everything Irke pursuit was impossible, and that I might put the finishing stroke upon the business where I was, I just poured half-a-dozen drops of that stuff down the child’s throat—and by jingo! it was all over with it in a moment.” “Ah!” slowly said Ralph Fairfield, letting the deep breath of suspense escape him. “Then you really have done it ?” “Why, didn’t I tell you so at the very first?” demanded Chiffin the Cannibal, his hollow tones now filled with a savage growl, as if he thought that he was suspected. “You don’t thnk, do you, that a chap like me would mind making mince-meat of a baby like that when it’s necessary P”’ “No, no—I did not mean to offend you,” Fare- field hastened to observe. “Why, it’s enough to hurt one’s dignity,” still growled Chiffin, “to thmk for a moment that one wouldn’t do such a miserable little bit of busmess as that.” “ But what became of the body? how did yeu dispose of it? where did you put it?” demanded Ralph, with renewed impatience. ‘“‘T waited in the wood till night came,” answered the ruffan; “and then I went and put the little stiff'un down at the door of a cottage about five or six miles from the castle. But now for the proofs!” continued the Cannibal, thrusting his hand into the capacious pocket of the great rough shaggy coat which hung loosely upon him; and he produced all the upper garments that were likely to have clothed a babe of a couple of months old. Ralph seized them with avidity, and eagerly scru- tinized each corner for some sign or symbol that should identify them as having belonged to his infant cousin. Nor did he search in vain. The cloak was elaborately embroidered with designs representing a peer’s eoronct, and also the arms of the Saxondale family: while upon another garment the name of the Hon. Edmund Farefield was like- wise worked in delicate embroidery. “ Now are you satisfied ?” asked the Cannibal, his eyes leering horribly from beneath his dark over- hanging brows. “ But I can tell you more. When I stripped off that toggery from the tiny brat, I saw the mark of a strawberry on its shoulder as plain as if ® was areal one—but very small though—that had been cut in halves, and one half stuck on to its flesh not so big as a sixpence.” “T am satislied—quite satisfied!” exclaimed Fare- field: then, as he pushed the garments across the table to Chiffin, he said, “ You must dispose of these as youthink fit. But perhaps it witl be best to burn them x “ Leave that to me,” answered the fellow, gather- ing up the things and thrusting them down into his capacious pocket. Any farther orders, Mr. Yare- field—anything more in my little way?” “ Not at present,” rejoined Ralph. “ But jo not — eee (C(O) JOO S (C(O)