The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

wan the reply ; and then, noticing the wavering glance | of the unknown, Slogger added, “ that’s only Jim Gubbins, a pal of ours; needn’t mind him.” The Phantom—for supernatural appellation it will be convenient to e for a time—drew the candle presented by the smasher nearer to the bag, and proceeded to examine its contents, as he spread them forth on the low, ricketty table. By this move- of light fell upon his countenance, and easbled Cobbins, who was watching him atten- oe , to note enough of the expression to serve suffi- y for a future recognition. ~ one of those faces, indeed, that, when once geen, are not very readily forgotten. The eyes, of keen and piercing brilliancy, were overhung by thick, dark ws, which gave them the appearance of being - Agee sunken; the nose was arched and promi- wild ‘and and the coarse unshaven chin communicated a haggard look to the features, that were now thrown into strong relief by the flickering light. The shrewd observer had scarcely time to make this rapid survey, before the stranger concluded his task, pushed back the candle, and, satisfied with U.e result, drew a few pieces of gold from his purse, and gave them to Slogger, in exchange for a receipt; which had been made out in readiness, - “T suppose I can now leave,” said the mysterious visitant, moving towards the door, “Not without giving up a few more of these shiners that I heard chinking within that purse just now,” eriod Gubbins, starting from his position, and throwing his athletic form before the doorway to in- tercept the other’s departure. “ WON 0,” responded his companion, who had previously directed a glance towards the ruffian, which, as we have seen, had been quickly interpreted and under- stood. “Ye let’s no von out of here vithout knowing yvhere they go to, much less yhen they carries such full weight vith them.” “Then you persist in hindering me,” exclaimed the stranger fiercely, the words thick and furiously between his clenched teeth. “ Beware, I come not into such as this unarmed, and if you dare to impede my progress I have a short but simple way of settling the question.” The cool determination with which this was said, as the speaker withdrew two small pocket-pistols from beneath his cloak, now thrown back, and displaying a thickset muscular figure, and the threatening action by which it was accompanied, produced @ visible effect on the couple of ruffians, who hesitated to attack so powerful an antagonist. “Open that door instantly,” demanded the un- known, enforcing with a pistol in each hand the com- ~ mand that he thundered forth in a stern and peremp- tory tone. “ Vell, don’t be in such a hurry about it,’ grumbled Siogger, as he shuffled back the bolt; “ve vos only joking vith yer. There, don’t yer see ve only yonted to try vhot sort of a feller yer yos ?—that’s all.” “Such experiments may turn out more dangerous than you think for,” added the stranger, quietly; and he had turned round to face the door, when Gubbins, who had glided away from the threshold, sprang upon him from behind, and with a quick and sudden action Sg his arms so as to prevent any possibility of the pistols. how then, Slogger, snatch the snarlers, and grab it!” cried the robber, holding his victim tightly in ag grasp, despite the powerful struggles with which the Sevege assault was resisted. “If ve don’t find out — aes — eae eee ee who he is this time, it eshan’t be our fault,” he con- tinued, keeping his iron limbs fixed in this advanta- geous position, whilst his accomplice, having wrenched the pistols away, was next proceeding to plunder. “Help, help! Villains, would you strangle me?” gasped the unknown, as his assailant, griping him like a vice, had drawn down the cloak, so that the clasp, pressing against his throat, was nearly choking him, | But the cry of the supplicant was unheeded, and the aim of the cowardly assaulters would have been doubtless accomplished, had not at that instant the door been forcibly thrown open, and their in- terrupted by the appearance of a man whose and manner immediately quelled the fray. The new comer, whose timely entrance relieved the stranger from all apprehension for his safety, was a sinister looking individual of stern and resolute aspect; Broad and capacious shoulders, a chest of immense solidity, and a frame of that sinewy build that seems alike to defy blows and fatigue, assisted in him that deference and respect from his associates that he insisted upon from kis position. He was attired in a dark velveteen shooting-jacket, worn over a plush waistcoat, of faded texture, and his legs were encased in strong moleskin trousers. A rough far cap was set jauntily on his head; and his hair, matted and twisted, streamed out in thick brownish masses from beneath the rim, It was precisely one of those piracy that in daylight one would have met as a sort of half-gtoom, half-poacher, and that by night one would have pre- ferred, perhaps, not meeting at all, “Slogger, Gubbins,—what means this?” demanded the astonished and unexpected witness of this attack, and alternately conyeying his inquiry to each of the personages named; “what devil’s — are you after here, that I no sooner turn my back than you fall at loggerheads with my best customer? You will excuse this little freedem of their's, 1 hope,” Saye the speaker, who was known sometimes « Bill,” but more generally by the descriptive epithet of “ the old ’un,” which latter name he enjoyed as an equivalent to “ governor,” being, in his official capacity, owner of the tenement in which the coining was carried on. “You will excuse their rough ways, sir; they arn’t used to genel’men, and they neyer will be.” As these reproaches were uttered, the two discom- fited members of the gang slunk moodily away, mut- tering threats against their leader; and the stranger, re-arranging his apparel, that had ‘somewhat suffered in the struggle, took the opportunity to exchange a few words with the new comer. “This,” he whispered hurriedly, “ will be my last visit here, but not the last amount I shall requite, Can I depend upon you?” “Bill Saunders never broke faith with man yot,? was the reply; “‘and with you there’s a strong reason why he shouldn’t. What my comrades do J can’t be answerable for; they have a spice of the wild beast in their composition, which makes them at times savage as wolves, though they miean well, and are true and trusty. But you were speaking of another supply ?” “Ay! I shall want athousand shillings cast in your best style.” “Phew! but it’s a large order—why where do you find the means to smash ’em ?” “That concerns not you, my friend,” replied the unknown, “I told you at our first meeting I had my own secret as well as your's,’ he added with em- phasis; “and as I pay well for what you do, there need be no reason to inquire further.” EGomichooks.co