The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 281: what you’re looking at

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

took a sy in disposing of his stock.” The surmise was not an LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF LONDON LIFE. _ Some quiet tradesman who wants a little help,” “ Did you know one George Sedler, who was hanged muttered the respectable Mr. Wolf to himself, as be | some sixteen years ago?” nopsis of the a who wishes to give his creditors no trouble unnatural one. He frequently received such visitors. “ Vell,” he exclaimed, “yat do you vant? Late hours for business!” “It’s never too late for a sensible man to make money,” observed the colonel. of his visitor, “or | The question took the Jew so completely by sur- prise that he half started from his chair, and eyed the questioner with a painful expression of curiosity; for the name recalled many a dark transaction which he believed long since buried in oblivion. “ George Sedler!” he exclaimed. “ Vell, vell, va do you vant to know about Gipsy George? Not that IT ever had any business vith the man—never, never. “ That’s a beautiful sentiment,” thought the Jew; | I am a respectable tradesman, content vith my lawfal who, although rich, far beyond what his appearance | profite, pay the poor-rates, and go to synagogue. Ask and station indicated, still continued, with the folly of | all the neighbours else.” a miser, to add hoard to hoard of ill-gotten wealth, which he had not the spirit or inclination to enjoy. “Do you want to buy any thing?” he demanded, “ No,”’ was the quiet reply. ‘*To sell, then, I suppcse? Monies is very scarce, and it’s near the Sabbath. i’m very particular about the Sabbath.” For once, at least, the speaker indulged in the trath; he always charged ten per cent. extra for all transactions concluded upen that day, as a salve to his tender conscience. He was too prudent a man to violate the observances of his religion for nothing. “ Nor do I come to sell any thing,” said the intrader. “ Vat the devil do you come for, then?” exclaimed the Jew. “ To talk.” “To talk!” repeated Wolf, with a look of disap- pointment, for he did not very clearly see how he could make much out of a conversation. “ Vell, that’s curious! come to a respectable tradesman at this time of night to talk! No time to Waste; got my books to look over—bills to make up. Come to talk!” he added, with still increasing snappishness; “ pretty way of business that! Talk, indeed!” “The old fool is getting garrulous,” thought Hamilton to himself; “[ shall have no difficulty in obtaining the information I require, especially as I am prepared to pay for it.” “ Some conversations, Mr. Wolf,” he observed, “ are more profitable than even business transactions; for they require no other capital than knowledge, which Iam certain you possess, and those who have sent me are both able and willing to pay for the knowledge they require. There is,” added he, “a Bank of England note for fifty pounds; it is yours on condition that you answer me some half-dozen questions.” “Is it a good one?’’ demanded the old man. “ Examine it youreelf.” : Aaron did so; and finding that it was the genuine thing, after carefully fastening the door of his shop, he led his visitor into the littledingy back room, which served him at once as office and parlour. The wails were hung with pictures—like every thing in the house, ~covered with dust—some of them of considerable others smoke- prepared originals to be taken at the proprietor’s own price, by the numerous dupes for whom he discounted bills. “Vell, vat is it?” he demanded, as he threw him- self into a huge brocaded chair, and pointed toa similar one to his visitor; “any thing about the Duchess of Gordon’s diamonds? haven’t seen ’em.” “ No,” said the colonel, uneasily, for the question was rather an awkward one, “Lord Smoothly’s bills? youldn’t give sixpence in the pound for a thousand.” “Vat the devil is it then?” he demanded, somewhat impatiently. Hamilton saw at once that, unless he could allay the old man’s fears, it would be useless to expect any information from him, The agitation into which the question bad thrown him was pitiably ludicrous, “ It is not so much about the man himself that I came to inquire, as respecting two children who were committed, between twenty and thirty years ago, to his care. There’s money to be made,” he added, in a confidential tone, and drawing his chair closer— “money to be made by any one who possesses the key to that affair.” “Ts there?” said Aaron, relieved of his terror, and drawing his breath freely, “ Vell, vell, I do know something about the birds. Perhaps, after all, we may come to an understanding. Vat do you offer?” “ Fifty pounds, if you will answer me three ques- tions.” “A bargain! Three questions—mind only three.” There can’t be much harm in that, thought the Jew. “Who placed the boy they used to call young George under the care of the landlord of the Rising Sun?” “Vell, I can tell that; for poor Mike, who was hanged with ‘Gipsy George, told me he had dogged him to tbe Temple. It was lawyer Prim—a most respectable man, worth a deal of monies—have since had many dealings with Mr, Prim.” “Prim,” repeated Hamilton to himself—* good; the plot begins to grow interesting. I thought he looked like a rascal when I visited him.” ; “ Vell,” said the Jew, who was impatient to gain the fifty pounds, “vat is the second question?” — “What has become of Maybird?” demanded his visitor, in a voice which trembled slightly with emotion. “ Vonderful!” exclaimed the Jew—*“ more vonder- ful than all! Vhen bis brother, as he called young George, who was a great rascal, fell into bad habits, and vas caught picking anobleman’s pocket, Maybird vould not eplit; and a gentry cove took such notice of him, that he adopted him. He is now a Parliament map.” “ Barley ?” demanded the colonel, a sudden light breaking in upon him. a “The same. Do you know hi “T have seen him,” said the gling to restrain his emotion, came like a thunder-clap upon . > He rose from his chair, and paced up 2 the room for several minutes befure he was “ And what is your third question?” demanded the respectable Mr. Aaron Wolf. “Who were the parents of those two boys?” “Ah! there you stump me!” said the Jew; “I don’t think even Gipsy George himself could have told you that, Lawyer Prim is a prudent man, and tells few secrets. They must have long heads who deal nt CLONAL ONEXe) SS (CO)