Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

88 THE COURT OF LONDON The Magsman shook hands with the Kinchm-Grand and Shickster Sal, and then bestowed the same mark of conde- scension upon Page. He likewise dispensed a few shillings in regaling the juvenile horde; and, having apologized for leaving the delectable company in such haste, he took his departure with the commercial traveller. ‘Well, what do you think of that scene? ”’ said the Mags- man to his companion, when they had gained the street, along which they proceeded in the direction of Cripplegate. ‘““T could not have believed that such places existed in the heart of a city which boasts its wealth, its civilization, and its philanthropy,’’ answered Page, speaking with an emphasis congental to his feelings. ‘“Ah! there are more extraordinary things than that to be seen in London, I can assure you,” returned the Mags- man; “‘and may be you'll become acquainted with them some day or another. Lord! what a tale I could tell if I was examined before a Committee of the House of Commons, as they call it! .Talk of a man being a Prime Minister who knows nothing — positively nothing — of the misery, pov- erty, and wretchedness which the working-classes endure; it is ridiculous! ” ‘ Ridiculous, indeed!” repeated Page. At this moment they had reached the end of the lane which joins Fore Street; and as there was a hackney-coach blocking up the way, Page stepped behind the Magsman to let him proceed first, as only one person could pass by at atime. But just as Page was picking his way between the vehicle and the buildings on his right, the Magsman turned suddenly back, seized him violently around the waist with both arms, and hurled him completely into the hackney- coach, the door of which was wide open at the moment. A man and a woman inside the vehicle caught the commercial traveller as he was thus tossed in upon them; and while a gag was slipped into his mouth by one of these individuals, his eyes were blindfolded by the other. The Magsman instantly leaped in, after the performance of this feat; and the hackney-coach drove rapidly away. Page now heard the windows drawn up; and almost at the same time, the Magsman’s voice sounded in his ears, saying, ‘“ We don’t want to suffocate you, old fellow; and so the gag shall be taken out of your mouth. But recollect, CORNICE LOOKS (E(@) m