The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

4 | tink I steal my monies that I should part with it so LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF LONDON LIFE. man, smuggler, thief, and smasher. Those who knew him intimately doubted if even these titles of honour completed the list. There were whispers of an old farmer who had been found with his throat cut on his return frou: market, and his watch and pocket-book seen in George’s possession; but as the fact was never brought home to him, men were careful how they re- peated the accusation, for he was as ready with his For some years he had retired from the risks and general duties of his profession, and only practised as a retired physician might do, when called in by some wealthy rascal, in a case of emergency. Prim, in the course of his life, had frequently availed himself of his services, although, with his usual caution, he never appeared before him unless disguised in the manner we have described, and well armed—he knew his man too well to trust him. The lawyer’s success in baffling recognition had excited in the mind of his instrument a sort of professional jealousy, and he determined, on the very next occasion on which he should employ him, to ascertain, if possible, his abode and name—tv keep him as a sort of stock-pigeon, to be plucked at his ease, The interior of the Rising Sun, on the night in question, was crowded. The weather was too wretched even for crime to stalk abroad, unless urged on by hunger or strong temptation; and many of the most desperate thieves and flash girls were drinking gin and ale, singing obscene songs, or recounting to each other their exploits, to wile away the time. In one corner might be seen some hed youth, whose appear- ance denoted that his heart was not quite abandoned, gazing with a half-fearful smile upon the scene, or listening to the temptress who had seduced him from honesty, and who was urging him to still more fearful crime, to sell him, most probably, at last, into the hands of justice, when tired of her dupe, or that her arts had entangled another victim. Several of the dark-faced sons of Israel were seated at the tables, buying watches, trinkets, or handkerchiefs, at a price which would have made their original owners stare, but which the vendors, low as it was, might truly say was considerably over “prime cost.” It was astonishing the amount of commercial transactions occasionally concluded in that low, dirty, dingy, smeky room. Diamonds, which, but a few evenings before, had blazed upon the neck of beauty, or glittered at St. James’s, changed hands, after being taken from their delicate settings, and sold, still “ over prime cost.” A girl known by the name of Dirty Bet, a tall slovenly jade, had just called that respectable dealer, Mr. Aaron Wolf, aside to show him a string of pearls, which her fancy man, who was an experienced thief, had brought her the night before. Just as she gave them into the hands of the Jew, whose eyes sparkled with cupidity and joy as he beheld them, the landlord left the inner bar, and entered the lower room. “Vell! vat do you vant for this rubbish?” de- manded the Israelite, after carefully examining them to see if they were real. “ Three cuter,” cried Bet. This was the flash word of the day for guineas. “Tree devils!” exclaimed the Jew; “vat do you foolishly? No—no—had it been gold it vould have been a tifferent ting; nothing but beads. As I am an honest man, I can’t afford more than von.” _ When Mr, Aaron Wolf appealed to his honesty, it was a settled thing; he was never known to raise bis ——_ - 2 - - — ——— < — —-, _—e ee Oo 173 price. The wretched girl, although ignorant of the value of the article, felt that she was overreached, but was compelled to take it. Just as he pocketed the bargain, Gipsy George whispered to him, “ We go haives!” “Certainly,” said the Jew, with a discontented This little episode was no interference with the general harmony of the evening; but took place without interrupting the song of * Bold Dick Turpin,” which a young aspirant for the gallows had been singing. At this moment there was a loud knock at the door; in an instant all was silent, and the heart of many a blustering villain sank within him: it might be a party of Bow-street officers. “ Douse the glims!” cried one “ Slip the juke!” exclaimed another, whilst several were seen making their way to the back of the house. Mr. Aaron Wolf took the pearls from his pocket, and quietly dropped them unseen, as he thought, into the full pot of ale which was standing before him, “ Who is there?” at last demanded the landlord. «“ John Brown, from Hampstead,” was the reply. “ All right,” exclaimed Gipsy George; “a friend, V’ll be with you in a minute.” The song and conversation were immediately re- sumed, and the respectable trader fished up his pearls again. The landlord took a rough cap from a peg in the bar, and pulled it down upon his forehead, so as to con- ceal his face as much as possible, tied a handkerchief over his mouth, and after whispering to his better-half to keep a sharp look-out, a task she was perfectly equal to, quitted the house, a few yards from which our old acquaintance Prim was waiting for him. « What is it?” said the ruffian, bluntly. “ Merely a little business,” replied the lawyer, in his usually kind tone; “a mere trifle.” “Humph! trifle! Men like you,” said the fellow, “ don’t leave their warm beds on such a night as this for a trifle.” “How do you know I have a warm bed?” de- manded the party to whom the speech was addressed. _ Because your hand is white and soft. I observed it as you counted down the guineas for that last affair, and your voice is low and even. Had you slept in the open fields as many nights as I have done, it would be rough like mine.” “ You are a curious observer,” said the lawyer, “JT was not born yesterday,” muttered the fellow with a grin; “but what is it?” As from previous transactions there was no need of delicacy between them, Prim, without hesitation, opened his purpose to him, which was nothing less than to enter the chamber of Mrs. Mowbrayand bring away the papers he required, or the child—it was im- material tothe lawyer which. Fifty guineas was the price agreed upon. “Should she resist?” said Sedler, as they walked together towards the Almonry. “ Have you not a knife?” demanded his respectable companion. “Do you mean,” said the fellow, taken aback by his coolness, “ that I am to cut her throat?” “ Not unless it’s necessary.” “ Necessary! necessary be damned!” replied the ruffian; “have you no conscience? would you lead me to murder, when I only bargained for robbery? Damn you for ashark! I would not do it for any man —at the price!” The lawyer smiled to hima) vile oxole) —”—_— SSP SS