The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 310: what you’re looking at

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

- -* - -<«- eT tte ili we ee ee eee 308 Corporal White was the next witness called; he confirmed, both as to date and circumstance, the finding of the boy, and described the peculiar marks he had made upon his arm, in order, at any future period, to recognise him, At the request of the counsel, Colonel Hamilton bared his arm, and the witness was directed to look at it. “That’s it!” exclaimed the honest soldier; “ al- though ’tis twenty-five years since, they are as fresh as when first made. I’d swear to them anywhere.” ‘‘ How much are you to get for your evidence, my man?” demanded Splutter, as soon as he rose to cross-examine him. “The pleasure of speaking the truth,” replied the honest fellow boldly, “but perhaps you can’t under- stand that.” There was a slight titter in court. The learned ser- geant was decidedly unlucky in his cross-examination that day. As the trial proceeded, the advocate for the plaintiff traced the progress of Colonel Hamilton, from his infancy to boyhood, from boyhood to man- hood, never losing sight of his identity, and in con- cluding his address evidently made a favourable impressio2 upon the minds of the jury. Sergeant Splutter rose in reply; his fee was a heavy one; he had been nettled by the complete failure of his efforts to shake the evidence, and he determined to use his eloquence to the utmost. “Gentlemen,” he began, “I stand before you this day to unmask one of the foulest conspiracies ever entered into to dishonour a noble family; to intro- duce an adventurer, and perhaps something worse than a mere adventurer, into its bosom; to deprive a ; gentleman of his succession to a fortune and title, of which he has long been regarded as the legitimate heir, and which, I doubt not, you will by your verdict this day confirm to him.”——Here the speaker went on with great tact and skill to describe how the once- powerful mind of Sir Walter Mowbray, weakened by age and anger at the marriage of his grandson, had | been wrought upon by Prim—whose threats and | visits immediately after that event he should prove— to acknowledge a supposititious heir, one whose early life had been devoted to depravity, and already re- ceived the reprobation of the law.” Intense interest was excited. The confidence with | which the speaker assured the jury that he should be | able to prove that the man who now called himself } Colonel Hamilton had been a pickpocket and thief astonished even those most accustomed to his reckless assertions, and made many think that, after all, their sympathies haa been enlisted on the wrong side. Hamilton neither shrank from the gaze which was turned from every point of the court towards him, nor carelessly braved it. He was very pale, and his de- meanour was that of a man called upon to defend his best possession—honour. Once, and once only, did the blood rush with tumultuous violence to his heart—it was when the crier of the court called out the name of the next witness—Mr. Aaron Wolf. “ Here, my lord!” cried the aged Jew, as with an alacrity beyond his years he stepped into the witness- box. Prim—who, the moment he had concluded his extra- ordinary evidence, had resumed his seat by the counsel —took up a position exactly fronting the Jew. He saw the effect which his appearance produced upon his grandson, and but too well divined the cause. Fixing his eyes upon him, he endeavoured to xeassure him by a smile, The counsel began the examination. THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. “Your name is Aaron Wolf?’’ “Yes, Iam a respectable dealer and broker, I’ve lived in the parish this twenty years—paid all my rates.” “ Never mind your rates now. Did you know one George Sedler?” “Vich? there vas two of them.” “The one who was always supposed to be the son— and doubtless was the son—of the man who was executed some twenty years since at Newgate.” “ Oh, yes, I know him, and a pretty rascal he was: nearly got me into a scrape once, Thinking him an honest youth, 1 bought a watch of _ which turned out to have been stolen.” “ What became of that boy ?” “ He vas twice convicted for robbery; broke from prison the last time, and left the country.” “ ‘Transported ?” “* No—run avay—vent abroad.” “ Do you think you would know him again?” “Could swear to him from a million; never forgot any body in my life, or any thing.” The Jew, directed by the counsel, moved his eyes towards the bench where Hamilton was sitting suffer- ing the horrors of martyrdom, without even the relief of a groan to ease his overcharged heart, There was a smile of cunning, triumphant malice on the lips of Aaron Wolf, and his small, black eyes twinkled with pleasure as they rested on the noble form before him, Just as he was about to speak the words which would have sent Hamilton home a suicide, a short, peculiar, dry cough was heard from Mr. Prim, who had risen, with many others, from his seat to watch the recog- nition, Aaron’s eye caught his, The lawyer put his hand in his waistcoat-pocket and took from it a snuff-box of enamel richly set with brilliants. The gems flashed with an accusing bright- ness in the eyes of the astonished witness, and he hesitated, for he reada fearful menace in the eyes of him who held it. “Come, sir,” said the counsel, “ have you suf- ficiently considered ?” Large drops of perspiration ran down the forehead of the witness, upon whom Prim had fixed his eyes with an expression which fascinated him, Twice he was about to give the fatal answer, and twice did that look restrain him. The court became impatient, “Ts this gentleman,” demanded the judge, pointing at the same time to Colonel Hamilton, “the same person as the boy George Sedler, of whom you have been speaking ?” “No,” replied the Jew, with a sudden effort; “I never saw that gentleman before,” Prim quietly closed his snuff-box, and returned it to his pocket. “ Never saw him before!” exclaimed the astonished counsel; “why, man, did you not declare that you could swear to him—swear to him from a million?” “ So I could, if it had been George Sedler,” replied the Jew, doggedly. “ But you declared that it was he,” “You declared it vas,” said Aaron; “and I said, * If it is, ’ll swear to him.’ But as it is not, I don’t see very well how I can, Mr. Splutter, I am a respectavle man, and would do any thing for you in the way of trade; but I can’t perjure myself to oblige you,” The heart of Hamilton, who could not understand by what means he had been preserved from infamy and shame, beat freely, and he once more glariced | round the court with an easy, unembarraseed air. 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