The String of Pearls (1850), p. 472

the morning, and but very few passengers were in the streets. The only person that was tolerably close to them was an elderly woman, and Mrs. Oakley
much as she panted for an opportunity of separating herself from Lupin, felt that the time to do so had not yet come.
On they went, in the direction of Mrs. Oakley's house, that house that she now began to feel she had so much neglected, to look after what, in the language
of scripture, might truly have been termed "Strange Idols"—that home which she now looked to as a haven of safety from the terror of death itself.
"How silent you are. sister," said Lupin, "Yes, I was thinking."
"Of what?" he said, fiercely.
"Of how much I should be able to take from Mrs. Oakley's till, to bring to you, this day week."
"Oh! oh!"
"You may depend, reverend sir, it shall be as much as possible—Of course I must be cautious, though."
"Oh, yes—yes."
They had now reached within a few paces of the corner of the street, and yet Mrs, Oakley had seen no one upon whom, from their appearance, she thought she could rely to call to for aid against the murderer. Suddenly then round the corner, there came a bulky form. The heavy tread of some one of unusual weight sounded upon the street pavement.
Big Ben, the beef-eater, with his arms behind him, and in a very thoughtful mood, came pacing slowly along.
As Mrs. Oakley said aftterwards, her heart, at that moment, was in her mouth.
She could not dissemble an instant longer with Lupin, but with a loud shriek that echoed far and wide in the streets, she suddenly sprang from him, crying—
"Ben, Ben, dear strong Ben, seize this man! He is a murderer!"
"D—n! Done at last!" cried Lupin.
He turned to fly, but treading upon a piece of cabbage-leaf that was upon the pavement, down he fell.
"Easy does it," said Ben, and he flung himself upon the top of Lupin, spreading out his arms and legs, and;holding him by sheer weight as firmly to the pavement as though he had been nailed there.
"Help, help, help! Murder! help!" shouted Mrs. Oakley. ''Murder, murder, murder !'
People began to flock to them from all parts. Lupin succeeded in getting a knife from his pocket, but Mrs. Oakley held him by the wr ist with both hands, and in a minute more he was in the grasp of two strong men, one of whom was a police-officer, and who gloried in the job.

CHAPTER CVIII.
MRS. LOVETT SHOWS WHAT A WONDERFUL WOMAN SHE IS.

Our readers have been aware for a long time past that Mrs. Lovett was no common, everyday sort of woman, and what we are out to relate concerning her, will be further proof that way tending, if it should be by any sceptical person in any way required.
To all appearance, Todd had seen the last of her on the river. But Todd was born to be deceived, and at the same time he should have recollected an old adage, to the effect that, folks who are born to be hanged are very seldom drowned.
We shall see.
Mrs. Lovett did go down, but as frtune and the amazingly strong current of the river would have it, she came up again, with a barge between her and Todd,

person in any way required.

hoI°fnh a o T aran ^ T ^ dd \ ad seeu the Iast ® f lieronth^ river. But Todd was
Srf£J th V ,t ' a i d at tb f time he shou,d have lew* ected an old adage, to
We shall L t0 be hang6d are ver ^ 1 3eldom drowned '

the^iwr w°nnM g<? \ d ™ n > Ut as fort «ne and-the igly strong current of !
l^I^^J^ with a barge- ft tween her and Todd,