The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 377: what you’re looking at

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

360 THE COURT OF LONDON a small, lonely but convenient ale-house at a short distance amongst the fields, to take up their quarters till morning; while, on the other hand, Bencull, the Buttoner, the Durry- nacker, and Nell Gibson had already arranged to pass the night at the rude hut in the immediate vicinage of Shooter’s Hill. Now this hut belonged to no less a personage than the Mushroom Faker. ‘The reader will scarcely require to be told that it was a very convenient haunt for such per- sonages as those just named; and accordingly, when business was slack at Jacob’s Island, they Often sought the rude hut for the purpose of seeing what they could pick up by nights on Shooter’s Hill. It was also a retreat for any member of the fraternity whom circumstances compelled to “‘ keep out of the way ”’ for awhile; and suspicion was averted from the place by the maintenance of an air of the most abject poverty. The gamekeepers of the district fancied that it was occupied only by a poor inoffensive umbrella-mender, who was frequently absent on long journeys; whereas, in reality, it was the scene of many crimes and the hiding-place of many criminals. We need only add in explanation of present incidents that Bencull, the Durrynacker, and the Buttoner, flushed with the success of their proceedings amongst the crowds collected for the steeplechase in the morning, had resolved not to allow the night to pass without “ trying their luck ’’ on Shooter’s Hill. Hence the stoppage of the baronet’s carriage, and the circumstances which led to his introduction to the hut. We stated that upon ascending the stairs a second time the Buttoner found Nell Gibson counting her money; and as he tossed her the letter which he had just received from the baronet down-stairs, he said, ‘‘ Here, gal, is the dokiment that will produce a hundred guineas to-morrow morning.”’ ‘“So much the better,” observed the young woman, with a smile of satisfaction; ‘‘ this is something like a night’s adventure. Let me see, there’s five of us: that will be twenty guineas apiece; because although you and me are now as good as one, yet we go shares as two.’ “Oh, to be sure,’’ said the Buttoner; ‘ that’s understood. You’ll have to start off precious early in the morning, Nell, Gomichbooks (E(0)