The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHANDLER’S SHOP 47 the piteous whine of mendicancy, as he passed close up to the side of the man. ‘Get out, you old crone!”’ growled the fellow, his eyes glaring savagely from beneath the broad-brimmed hat; and, thus speaking, he bolted around the corner, passed behind the Sessions House, and gained Turnmill Street. For the first time in his life Larry Sampson was thrown quite aback for the moment. His purpose was so far answered that he had succeeded in catching a glimpse of the man’s features; but his amazement may be understood when he found that the muffled individual was none other than Daniel Coffin the Hangman. The unmistakable tone of the voice simultaneously confirmed the fact; and if further proof were wanting, it was at once seen in the circumstance that Dick and Sally Melmoth were at Tag- garty’s when he issued forth, and that such care had been taken to ascertain that the coast was clear for his exit thence. Speedily recovering his self-possession, however, Larry Sampson instantaneously revolved in his mind the diffi- culties of his position. His first impulse was to fling off the old woman’s garb and hasten in pursuit; but a rescue was certain to be effected in that vile neighbourhood the instant the alarm of “‘ an officer ’’ should be raised. Moreover, the disguise would be found, Coffin would hear of it and suspect who the old beggar-woman was, and, perceiving that his existence was known, he would either double his precautions against discovery, or else leave the country. On the other hand, to retain the disguise and pursue him in it would only be to attract certain attention, without frustrating the chances of Coffin’s rescue or escape. Sampson therefore retraced his way to his friend the old-clothes dealer, laid aside the cloak and cap, and proceeded homeward, with the intention of losing no time in setting a watch upon all the places and neighbourhoods where the Hangman was likely to conceal himself. (COLL 1 0\)O) SS (GO) im