The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE 137 ‘ And still, your worship,’’ remarked Mr. Crawley, “‘ some kind of notice must be taken of the matter. Suppose I just step down there and in a quiet way institute a little inquiry? ”’ “Yes, that will be best, Crawley,” said the magistrate; ‘and in the meantime let the circumstance of the arrival of such a letter be maintained a profound secret. If nothing comes of it, then the fact of such a serious accusation having been made through sheer wickedness and with a view to injure an innocent person need never become known.” ‘“ Just so, your worship,” replied Crawley; and putting the anonymous letter in his waistcoat pocket, he proceeded to execute his commission. A quarter of an hour afterward Mr. Crawley was walking along Pall Mall, when he noticed that he was being followed by a thin, miserable, half-starved mongrel dog; and, finding that the poor animal persisted in remaining close at his heels, he was about to kick it away, when it suddenly struck him that he was not altogether unfamiliar with the appearance of the beast. ‘“‘ Surely this must be the brute that Mobbs used to have prowling after him?” muttered Mr. Crawley to himself. Then, recollecting the name of the dog of which he was think- ing, he said, ‘ Toby! Toby!” The poor beast instantaneously began wagging its tail with delight; and rising on its hind legs, it began to lick the constable’s hand. Crawley now examined the dog with more attention, and he at length became convinced that it was the identical one which belonged to Mobbs. The discovery of the animal rendered him very thoughtful and serious; and as he walked along, he muttered between his teeth, ‘“‘ Well, there’s some- thing very strange in this. It’s like another link in the chain, and now I’m more inclined than I was at first to attach some importance to the contents of the anonymous letter.”’ Thus musing, Mr. Crawley proceeded on his way along Pall Mall, passed Mrs. Brace’s establishment, into which he gave a good stare, and sped to a butcher’s shop in Bury Street, where he ordered a copious repast of meat to be bestowed upon the dog. Toby devoured the welcome provender with a ravenous appetite, and, having lapped up a suitable quantity of water, he frisked about the con- COnnicloookKs (C(O)