The time
has come, after all these years of gloom and misery, for avenging him,
and bringing to light a crime so artful and so devilish that it has no
parallel. Every second's delay on your part loosens this man's bloody
hands again, and leads to his escape. My lord, I charge you hear me, and
despatch this matter on the instant.'
'Oh dear me!' cried the chief magistrate; 'these an't business
hours, you know--I wonder at you--how ungentlemanly it is of you--you
mustn't--you really mustn't.--And I suppose you are a Catholic too?'
'I am,' said Mr Haredale.
'God bless my soul, I believe people turn Catholics a'purpose to vex
and worrit me,' cried the Lord Mayor. 'I wish you wouldn't come here;
they'll be setting the Mansion House afire next, and we shall have you
to thank for it. You must lock your prisoner up, sir--give him to a
watchman--and--call again at a proper time. Then we'll see about it!'
Before Mr Haredale could answer, the sharp closing of a door and drawing
of its bolts, gave notice that the Lord Mayor had retreated to his
bedroom, and that further remonstrance would be unavailing. The two
clients retreated likewise, and the porter shut them out into the
street.
Pages:
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811