The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

16 THE COURT OF LONDON “Yes, and overhanging it also,’ interrupted Sampson. ‘“‘ After you came to me on the first occasion, I went down to the Folly Bridges and took a survey of the place. Of course I had often been there before, but after what you told me I thought it best to get an accurate idea of the locality. And now please to continue your explanations.”’ “Since you have been down to the place to look at it so particularly,’’ resumed Nell, “‘ you may have noticed that if you get on the wooden bridge you can easily climb along to the gallery at the back of the dark crib; and there you can lie concealed, listening at the window to all that takes place inside the back room.” “Well, the plan is feasible enough,’’ observed Sampson, steadily and composedly meeting the keen and penetrating look which Nell Gibson fixed upon him from beneath her eyelids; and thus while she fancied that he did not perceive how intently though furtively she was watching him, he not only saw that he was thus scrutinized, but also en- countered the scrutiny without exciting a suspicion. ‘“‘ And how many do you think will be there to-night? ”’ he inquired. ‘Ah! there will be several of them,’’ answered Nell Gibson, “‘ for the best part of the gang are in this business; and that’s the reason why I know it must be something of the utmost importance.” “And have you failed to wheedle the secret out of the Buttoner? — for he is your fancy man, I believe,” said Larry Sampson. ‘The Buttoner is as close as the door of Newgate and as down as the knocker itself,’ replied Nell. ‘‘ When he was drunk I have tried to pump him, but it was all no go. Besides which, the Buttoner never will trust 2 woman; and so if he did tell me anything, it couldn’t be relied on as true. It would only be some invention of his to put me on a wrong scent. But I know that whatever the business now in hand may be, there’s murder in it, and also the hope of an immense booty.”’ “And how do you know this? ”’ inquired Sampson. ‘‘ Because the Buttoner cleaned up his pistols this morning, and sharpened the blade of a hideous clasp-knife that he’s got. He didn’t think I paid particular attention to what he was doing, but I did, though. Moreover, I dropped in, quite in a leisurely way, at the dark crib this afternoon, and I saw ECORNIEIOO; KS.)