The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

272 THE COURT OF LONDON grating, she deposited on the ground the heavy basket which she had brought with her. ‘““ Now, miss,” said the turnkey, in a hurried whisper, to Caroline Walters, “‘ if you want to hear Carrotty Poll catch it, you'll just creep behind that stone pillar, and I’m blowed ~ if you won’t be amused.” An unaccountable impulse urged the young woman to adopt the hint which Mr. Pigman thus gave her in a jocular mood; and, advancing down the hall, she turned aside mid- way and posted herself behind the massive stone pillar that was nearest to the particular grating where the expected colloquy was to take place. ‘“‘ Well, Poll,” said the Big Beggarman, gruffly, “‘ what the devil has made you so late, eh? ”’ ‘“‘ Because I’ve been making inquiries about the matter you told me of yesterday, and that’s why,” answered the red- haired young woman in her sharp, vixenish voice. ‘‘ And what’s the result, gal? ’’ demanded her father. _“ Why, I’ve found the queer Christian name in one of the fashionable books that contain all the noble and great fami- lies of the country,’”’ answered Carrotty Poll. “Well, and who owns the name?” asked the Mags- man. “ Lord! how long the gal is giving us an explana- tion.” ‘“‘ Because I’m out of breath with running on account of being so late, and also with lugging this heavy basket along from the tavern over the way. But if you'll give me time I'll tell you all about it.” ‘““Go on,” said the Magsman and the Beggarman, both as it were in the same breath. “In the first place, then,’ continued Carrotty Poll, “I took with me the lad Alfred that I’ve spoken to you about, — the same who did the business for Lord Florimel up at Rigden’s — ”’ ‘Yes, yes, we know what you mean,” exclaimed the Mags- man; ‘ you’ve told us all about that business already. By the bye, I suppose Florimel paid you devilish handsome for getting him back his papers from Rigden — ”’ ‘““ Five hundred guineas for that business, and a couple of hundred for saving Pauline Clarendon from the power of the prince, seven hundred in all,’”’ said Carrotty Poll, with a chuckle; ‘ and so that’s a pretty little sum to add to what a % CONNIE NOOKS (E(©)