The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 225: what you’re looking at

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210 THE MYSTERIES OF TITE COURT. discourse, and fancying that it was a prelude to de-| “ Meet who ?—Lady Bess ?” exclaimed ‘Chiffin, manding some pecuniary favour at his hands. as if utterly unsuspicious. “ Don’t be afraid, Chiffin,’ she replied, having * No—Madgzge Somers.” read what was passing in his mind. “You know| “Ah! she’s “been then? What news? Why the that I am not one who asks favours of that sort: | deuce didn’t she wait ?” or if you don’t know it, you ought to doso—for you| ‘She couldn’t: she had summut particular to do. and I have been acquainted long enough. What I | Besides, she had on’y a word to say.” was going to say is, why don’t you settle down into | “ And what’s that?” asked Chiffin. “ Anything some quiet kind of life—take a public or a shop, | good?” _ for instance—or even set up a lodging-house ?””’ “Pretty well,’ rejomed the Blue-ruin Carrier. “No, no—a public is the thing for me,” answered | “ Madge says that it will all be right in the course Chiffin; “a good boozing-ken in some precious of to-morrow; and she'll be down here by nine in queer neighbourhood. I should be in my glory the evening at the latest, when she is certain sure the; and to tell you the truth, Madge, I have of having good news to tell yer. She says you may been thinking of summut of that kind. Now that make yourself quite easy on that score.” this cursed affair of the detectives is over, I shall| “ Perdition take it'” growled Chiffin, affecting to look about me. But I say, wasn’t it rather queer beinarage. “Somehow or another I fancy that of these Tugs people to tell you such a precious lie? Madge is humbugging me. Which way did she I can’t think what could be the meaning of it.” goP Ihave a deuced good mind to cut after her.” = Evidently to prevent me from waiting to see “I didn’t see which way she went,” answered you,” replied Madge. “You had therefore better Tugs. ‘Besides, she’s been gone mote than a take care of them: there’s some treacher y lurking quarter of an hour; and so you couldn’t possibly in that quarter.”’. overtake her, even if you knowed which way she Well now,” observed Chiffin in a musing tone, | did go.” “1 thought them Tugs was the honestest people to-| “Come, Mr. Chiffin,” said Mrs. Tugs, looking as wards their pals that ever was. * Of course I didn’t amiable as she could through the grimy mask upon tell them I had anything in the shape of blunt about her face, ‘you had better make up your mind me, for fear they should get on the borrowing plan; to rest patient and be comfortable till to*morrow _ and one couldn’t very well refuse what they asked evening. It isn’t wery long to wait; and from after all their kindness. But there’s something what Madge said, it’s certain sure you'll hear good that isn’t right in that quarter. I don’t like this news then.” ; affair of their stalling you off from seeing me: it “ Well, I suppose I must,” returned the Cannibal looks precious suspicious.” | with the air of one who resigns himself to a tem- “Well,” returned Madge, “you have no need porary disappointment. to go back to the barge again unless you like.” * Take another glass of the lush,” said the Blue- “ Yes—but I have though,” replied Chiffin : “for ruin Carrier, as he passed the bottle. “It’s a to tell you the truth But no matter! I must get famous thing to make chaps happy and contented.” back as quick as ever I can. Good night, Madge—| ‘“ With all my heart,’ responded Chillin: and and thank you for what you have done.” having tossed off the liquor, he lighted his pipe. The woman and the Cannibal then separated, and| The conversation progressed upon indifferent sub- the latter sped along in the direction of the | jects ; and while joining in it with seeming uncon- barge. He had indeed good reason for returning cern, the Cannibal revolved in his mind the course thither; inasmuch as he had left his great loose that he should adopt. That Tugs and his wife shaggy over-coat in the little nook or recess that meant treachery was evident enough: their conduct formed his place of concealment; and in that self- | in respect to Madge Somers proved this. That they same coat he had got a quantity of bank-notes | had not discovered the bank-notes in his coat, he sewn inside the lining. But as he went back to the ‘felt assured; because if so, and if they had self- barge, he felt in his breeches’ pockets to see that | appropriated them, there would be no need of that his pistols were safe, muttering to himself the while, | stratagem to keep him still in the barge. He there- “Tf these Tugs mean. treachery, I’m blowed if I | fore argued that they supposed him to have money don’t make them both sleep at the bottom of the | concealed about his person, and meant to murder canal before daylight—and their babby along with | him to obtain it. He had his pistols in his pockets, ’em for that matter.” and they were loaded: he had a great mind to pro- Resuming however his wonted look, which with duce them suddenly and shoot both the man and ail his endeavour to give it a good-humoured aspect, | woman at once; but there was the chance of the was still of the most hang-dog and sinister cha- report being heard by individuals who might be pass- racter, he reached the boat and gave a peculiar ing along the towing-path, or up in the houses over- whistle. The head of Tugs was soon perceived hanging thecanal. Then he thought of suddenly fell- thrust above the hatchway—the assurance that all ing the Blue-ruin Carrier with his club, and at once was right came from that individual’s lips—and turning round to despatch the wife. But if the Chiffin descended into the cabin. He cast a quick first blow should fail in its effect, a desperate strug- but keenly-searching glance upon Tugs and his wife ; | gle might take place: for he knew that the woman but nothing in their looks betrayed any treacherous | was a determined one—while Tugs himself was a purpose. Chiffin was not however the man to be | man of great muscular power —and therefore the thrown off his guard by this seeming equanimity | result of such struggle might prove fatal to him- on their part. selt. His chief object was, as a matter of course, “ How unfortunate you should have gone out to recover possession of his coat: but if he went just at the moment,” exclaimed Tugs. ‘ But per- ‘into the littlo crib to obtain it, he felt assured haps you had the good luck to meet her ?” that he should be immediately attacked from be. Comicbooks.e@