The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 201: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. chandler informed them that his guest was none other than the terrible Lawrence Sampson! In afew hurried words, however, and in a whis- pered tone, Taggarty explained to them the object of the officer’s visit, whereat they were profoundly sur- prised ; but the chandler did not vouchsafe tu inform them that Sampson’s liberality had extended to a hundred guineas. He was afraid they might claim shares, the matter having reference to the Foundling, in whom they were all interested. He therefore coolly and quietly suppressed an 0, thus reducing the reward from 100 to 10 guineas. Having given these few hurried explanations, he unlocked a drawer—took out a brown paper parcel —and was about to descend to the parlour again when Daniel Coffin clutched him abruptly by the arm, saying in a hollow whisper, “ Bill, are you man enough to do mea service ?” ‘*What do you want?” asked Taggarty, recoiling. with an instinctive shudder: for the Hangman’s meaning flashed in a moment to his comprehension. * Larry Sampson is below,” replied Coffin: “and those who might have seen him come in, won’t be waiting to observe if he ever goes out again,” he added with a look of diabolical significancy. “No, no—I couldn’t do it, Dan’el—I couldn’t do it!” answered Taggarty, his countenance becoming pale as death, and his knees trembling under him. “ Coward!” ejaculated the Hangman, with bitter ferocity, as he pushed the chandler away from him: then, instantly observing the malignant expression of vindictiveness which appeared upon Taggarty’s countenance, he said, “ Come, don’t be angry, Bill— 1 didn’t mean it! But you must make allowances for one placed in such an infernal predicament as I em.” “Yes, pray don’t think any more of it, Bill,” said Sally Melmoth, in a tone of earnest entreaty: and Dick also endeavoured to propitiate the chandler. “You needn’t suppose [ should betray you, Dan’el,” observed Taggarty. “ But will you help me to—to——” “To make away with Larry Sampson? No!” — And with this emphatic reply, the chandler quitted the room. Descending to the parlour, he again carefully closed the door of the staircase behind him; and resuming his seat, he opened the brown paper parcel. But his hands trembled visibly—and his cheeks were also still pale and ghastly from the mingled sensations excited by the scene that had just occurred ™ the bed-chamber above. Larry Sampson, upon whose keenness even the least perceptible emotion was never lost, could not fail to observe an agitation so marked as this: but he affected not to notice it— while all the time he was wondering what could have produced such an impression upon the Kinchin- Grand, and who the person or persons might be that ad so produced it. “What have you got there, Taggarty 2” he in- quired. “The clothes the Foundling had on the day he was stolen and brought to the Kinchin-Ken in Grub Street,” was the answer: then, as Taggarty proceeded to open the parcel and display its contents, he said, “ Here’s the hat and feathers—the little frock, all covered with neat braiding, somewhat faded now not- withstanding—and here’s the petticoats, the little soeks, and the tiny shoes. I’ve always kept them things by me through every wicissitude: for some- hill towards the Sessions House. He was muffled Se 187 | how or another, 1 thought they’d be of service sooner or later.” “ You have acted well and wisely,” said the officer, “ Take the hundred guineas—and I shall keep these things. I suppose you meant me to do so?” “By all manner of means,’ replied Taggarty, as he tied up the parcel again. “And now, Mr. Sampson, won’t you take a drop of summut short ?” * T would much rather not, thank you,” returned Larry. “ Good night.” The chandler having hastily gathered up the money and consigned the coin to his pocket, pro- ceeded to unfasten the shop-door to let Mr. Sampson out: and as soon as the officer disappeared, he shut and bolted it again. But Larry did not immediately quit the neigh- bourhood. He was resolved to wait and see who the person or persons might be, that were secreted in Mr. Taggarty’s upper room. His mode of action was decisively determined on, and promptly carried into execution. Entering the shop of an old-clothes’ dealer, to whom he was well known, he remained there only five minutes, and issued forth again come } pletely metamorphosed from head to foot. In fact, he was apparelled as an old woman, with a dark brown cloak, and the hood drawn over his counte- nance, which was further shaded by a dingy cap hav- ing an enormous frill. He carried a bundle of matches in his hand—and in this disguise posted st de exactly opposite the door of the chandler's shop. Nearly an hour passed: and no one came forth. But several halfpence were thrust into Sampson’s hand by poor working-men and their wives return- ing home, and who took him to be an aged beggar- woman. He was sorry thus to receive the donations of humble charity: but he could not refuse them, for fear of exciting suspicion and perhaps leading to detection and disturbance. Time passed on—rmidnight was proclaimed by the iron tongue of Clerkenwell church—and still Larry stayed at his post. He would have remained there till morning, if necessary: but observing no lights in Taggarty’s bed-room, he felt assured that the chandler had not as yet retired to rest. Presently the shop door opened—-and Taggarty himself appeared upon the threshold, looking anxiously up and down. Sampson, in a whining voice, besought charity: but the chandler, taking no heed of the prayer, retired into the shop. Immediately after- wards a woman came forth as far as the threshold, and also looked intently up and down the narrow street. A light from an opposite window gleamed upon her countenance; and Sampson had no difficulty in recognising Sally Melmoth. She retired into the shop, the door of which still remained open; andin a few minutes Dick Mel- moth, whom Larry also recognised, came forward with the evident object of ascertaining if the coast was clear. Sampson saw that something strange was going on: but of what it was, he had not the most distant suspicion. Henevertheless determined to ascertain the point, if possible—and was rejoiced that he had thus kept watch upon the chandler’s premises. Dick Melmoth having retired again as the others had done, there was another pause in the proceed- ings: and then, at the expiration of about two minutes, a man hurried forth and sped down the MICLOOKS»ACO (CO)