The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

LOW LIFE IN LONDON 225 “ But do you not think, my dear fellow,” inquired Lord Charles, ‘‘ that the detectives are a thousand times more likely to discover these miscreants than you are? ” ‘‘T am not so sure of that,” responded Stanley. ‘‘ These villains will be so completely on their guard that they may manage to elude the detectives for a long time to come.” “Then doubtless you have some plan in view?” said Lord Charles Meredith. “‘T purpose to throw myself, as it were, every night into the lowest neighbourhoods, and to penetrate into the vilest dens, as if merely impelled by curiosity, or else under the pretence of discovering some one whose fictitious description I shall render as different as possible from that of either of the real objects of my search. By these means I may possibly light upon them, and if not, there will be no harm done.” ‘“‘ But you have never seen either of these ruffians? ” said Lord Charles. ‘“‘ No, it is true,” rejoined Captain Stanley, “ but I have received from the detective so minute and accurate a de- scription of them that I am convinced I should recognize them in a moment.”’ ‘““T have a very great mind to bear you company in your search, or at least for the coming night,” said Lord Charles Meredith. ‘‘ I have heard and read much of those loathsome neighbourhoods and hideous dens where poverty and crime herd together, and I should like to see them.” ‘It was in the hope you would be my companion that I have sought you now,” replied Captain Stanley. The two officers then settled their arrangements; it was agreed that they should dine together in the evening, and afterward set out upon their excursion. A little after ten o’clock they might have been seen wend- ing their way toward Westminster Bridge together. Al- though it was the middle of summer, the night was cold and inclement; a drizzling rain made the shop lights and the street lamps appear as if they were seen through a mist. The daughters of crime were standing under doorways, or huddling together at the entrances of courts, while the ragged and half-starved children of poverty were dragging them- selves shiveringly along to the resorts and dens where they harboured at night, or else to such places as would afford them any kind of shelter against the chilling and damping CORNICLOO (CO)