The String of Pearls (1850), p. 415

indebted to you for the trouble you have taken in this affair, which I think is now near its climax."
"I hope so, Sir Richard. This way if you please."
The whole party now proceeded to the same slab of stone which the magistrate had had before removed, for the purpose of making his inquiries below the surface of the earth. The slab was standing on its edge against a column of the nearest aisle, and the deep dark opening to the vaults was before them.
"There is but little foul air," said Sir Christopher. "The stone has been off they tell me many hours. Shall I go first, or will you, Sir Richard?"
"Allow me," said the magistrate," should there be any risks, it is my duty first to encounter them."
"As you please, Sir Richard. As you please, sir. I willingly give place to you, because I know, if there be any difficulty, how much better calculated you are than any one here to overcome it."
The magistrate made a slight bow to the compliment, and then taking a link in his hand, he descended the stairs leading to the vaults of St. Dunstan's.
It will be well recollected that he had been in those vaults before, and that he had made certain discoveries, which to a vast extent implicated Mrs. Lovett in the crimes of Sweeney Todd; but his object upon this present visit was of a different character. In plain language, this was an attempt to ascertain if there were any underground modes of communication between Todd's house,
and the vaults of old St. Dunstan's church.
That there were some such subterraneous passages had become, after the most mature consideration, a firm conviction upon the mind of Sir Richard Blunt, and hence he had resolved upon such an exploration of the spot as should confirm or dispel the idea for ever.
Those whom he had with him, were all persons upon whom he could thoroughly depend; and the ancient architect, who had given his services, was to point out the exact direction in which to proceed.
Upon reaching the foot of the stone steps, instead of traversing the passage that led in the direction of Bell Yard, which he had formerly done, Sir Richard turned directly the other way, saying as he did so—
"This, I presume, will be our direction?"
"We shall see in a moment," said the architect. "I have taken the bearings so exactly, that I can point out to you the precise course."
He forced into the ground to a sufficient depth to make it stand steady, his walking stick, and then removing a little gold cap from the top of it, he disclosed a small compass, which after some oscillations, steadied itself.
"Then," said Sir Christopher, "through that wall would lead in a direct line to Todd's house."
''This will assist us," said Sir Richard. "We will, before we actually begin excavating, endeavour to find some of the vaults which may run in that direction, and so perhaps save ourselves an immense amount of labour."
"Very good," said Sir Christopher Wren, "I can at any time give you, from any place, the exact bearing of Todds house, for I have it fixed in my mind, and can read it off from the compass -plate in a moment."
They now at once made their way into the vaults, and by dint of keeping to the right hand, they avoided going much out of their course. These vaults were of great extent, and although some of them, owing to being full of the dead, had been bricked up, yet they were very easily opened, and in many cases a direct thoroughfare for considerable distances was affected.
Ever and anon the compass was appealed to, and showed them that they were approaching Todd's house.
One of the party, a well-dressed gentlemanly-looking man, now stepped forward, and said to Sir Richard—
"Here, according to the plans of the church, the vaults end."
"Then we can get no further ?"
"Not an inch, Sir Richard."