The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 308: what you’re looking at

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

THE CONSULTATION 281 “Well, all this may be likely enough,” said Bencull; ‘but still it’s quite clear that Larry knows a great deal more than is convenient. And now I recollect, the night when he was down here disguised as a knife-grinder, he went up- stairs and saw old Jeremy Humpage — ”’ ‘“ Well, well,’ interrupted the Hangman; ‘ never mind anything about the details of what happened on that par- ticular night. What we have chiefly to think about at present is whether we are to take any step to ensure our safety for the future.” “In what way?’ asked Bencull, with that kind of omi- nously significant look which showed that he had caught an inkling of the idea then uppermost in the Hangman’s mind. ‘‘ Come, speak out, Dan’el; you and me are old pals, and can trust each other.” “Then my mind is made up as to Larry Sampson,” answered Coffin. ‘‘ It’s quite clear that no business is to be done in future with any degree of safety, as long as Larry is alive. He has got a halter around your neck, and around the necks of all our pals and confederates, and he won’t be long before he gets one around my neck again also. And when it is considered that he can pull these halters tight at any moment he chooses, by Satan! to make away with such a fellow would be conferring a blessing on the whole fra- ternity.”’ “You and me, Dan’el,’’ observed Bencull, jerking his pipe toward the back of the house, “‘ have shoved out more than one stiff ’un into the black ditch; and therefore I don’t see why we should hesitate in making a croaker of Mr. Larry Sampson.”’ “To be sure not, and it shall be done!’ cried the Hang- man. ‘“‘ But we must also take measures to get possession of his book at the same time that we do his business for him; or else, if that great volume fell into the hands of another officer, it would soon put him into the right way of becoming as knowing, and consequently as dangerous, as Larry Sampson himself.” “Well, have you got any scheme in your head?” de- manded Bencull. “Larry Sampson must be enticed down here,’’ said the Hangman, ‘‘ by some means or another; and while you and two or three of our most trustworthy pals are doing his COUN () LOOKS (CO)