The String of Pearls (1850), p. 254

CHAPTER LIV.
SIR RICHARD BLUNT'S PROGRESS.

We will now return, and see with what zeal Sir Richard Blunt and his active
co-operators are at work, and how that persevering gentleman has taken the
cause of humanity in hand, with a determined will to bring the atrocious criminals to a just tribunal. Sir Richard and his men continued to pass and repass
Todd's window, and one or other had an eye upon the door, so that it was
almost impossible for any one to go in without the officers seeing them; and as
some one of the officers followed each customer into the shop, under some pretence, and did not return till the strangers had been shaved, it was impossible
that he could continue his murderous trade. The barouet, however, could not continue to remain long in the vicinity of Todd's shop without exciting the suspicions of that crafty demon in human form. Todd seemed very ill at ease, and his eye was more frequently at the hole which commanded a view of everything within range of his window, and in spite of the various guises the officers assumed, he seemed to take a more close survey of their features than he had done when they had first visited his shop. It was rarely that his customers came in pairs, otherwise it would have continually prevented his schemes; but now none came alone, each one had his companion or attendant. One morning, almost as soon as the barber had opened his shutters, a seafaring man entered his shop in haste, and throwing himself on a chair, requested to be shaved immediately. He appeared to have but lately returned from India, or some other hot climate, for his features were well bronzed, and from his general aspect and conversation, he appeared to be a man of superior station in life. However, in this manner, the barber reasoned and came to the conclusion that he should have a good morning's work if none of his tormentors came to avert his intentions.
"A fine morning, sir," said Todd.
"Very," said the stranger; "but make haste and accomplish your task; I have a payment to make to a merchant in the city this morning by nine o'clock,
and it is now more than half-past eight."
"I will polish you off in no time," said the barber, with a grin; "then you
can proceed and transact your business in good time. Sit a little nearer this
way, sir, the chair will only stand firmly in one position, and it is exceedingly uncomfortable for gentlemen to remain, even for a few moments, on an unsteady chair."
Todd adjusted the chair, by dint of what appeared to the stranger to be a deal
of unnecessary trouble, and he said—
"You seem remarkably anxious to put the chair in what you call a comfortable
position, but we sailors are rather rough, therefore you need not make so much
fuss about my comfort for so short a time, but proceed with the business."
Todd seemed rather disconcerted at the stranger's remarks, and could not understand whether his words were uttered by chance, or imported more than Todd liked."
"It is a maxim of mine, sir," said Todd, "to make everybody that comes to
my shop as comfortable as possible during the short time they remain with me.
One half- inch further this way, sir, and you will be in a better position."
As he spoke he drew the chair to the spot he wished it, which circumstance
seemed to please him, for he looked around him, and indulged in one of those
hideous grins he executed just when he was on the point of committing some
diabolical act. The gurgling noise he made in his throat caused the seaman to
give a sudden start, which Todd perceiving, said—
"Did you hear the noise my poor old cat made, sir? she often does so when
strangers come in, sir."
"It did not sound much like a cat; but if I had an animal that made such a