The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

THE MISER 81 ** Yes, to-night,”” answered Mrs. Webber. “Is that lady come yet? ”’ “No, and that’s why, after what I’ve learned, the business must be for to-night.” “Well, it’s a reg’lar blessin’,” interjected the Burker, “ that you’ve made up your mind at last, arter all this here hesitating and dilly-dallying which has kept me and Bill Scott all on the tenting-’ooks of suspense.”’ “Why, you must understand, Barney,” said the treach- erous housekeeper, “‘ that it was better to put off the business for a few days till I could obtain certain and positive in- formation as to whether Pollard had got in the house the money he has to pay to Mrs. Rayner.” “Yes, and with the chance that Mrs. Rayner would sud- denly turn up,” growled the Burker, “‘ receive her blunt, and walk off with it. It warn’t good policy, marm; it warn’t good policy.”’ “How absurdly you talk, Barney,” said Mrs. Webber, angrily. “I tell you it was absolutely necessary to ascertain whether the old man really kept enough in his house to render it worth while — ” “Well, and now you’ve got at the rights of the matter,” rejoined the delectable Mr. Barnes, “‘ and the business is to be done right slick offhand, with no more humbugging delays. Well, that’s your sort, marm, and so we won’t have no more argyfication on the pint. I’m blest if this Liverpool business won’t be the best dodge we was ever put up to. Wasn’t it a lucky thing that Jack Smedley should have run down to Liverpool just arter that little bit of business with the lodger, and that he should have heerd tell of this old miser’s wanting a housekeeper. I’m blowed if it isn’t enough to make a cat or a helephant crack his precious tough sides to think how Pollard bit at them precious stiffiikits which Jack drawd up hisself and put all them there fine names to.”’ “ Well, well, Barney,” interrupted Mrs. Webber, ‘“‘ don’t stand wasting precious time here, but be off with you, and lay hold of Bill Scott, so as to be punctual.” “ Bill’s handy enow, and as ready to lend a hand as he is to swill his harf an’ harf, or dewour his biled mutton for supper. And now tell us how it’s all to be.” A few whispered arrangements were settled between the treacherous woman and her villainous accomplice, and then CORNICLOO cS (C(O) mM