The String of Pearls (1850), p. 657

people, and the old place has a sort of cheerful look about it, but now I don't like it, and I've a good mind to get one of the charity-boys of the blessed parish to keep me company."
"I will kill him, too, if you do," muttered Todd.
The beadle paused upon this thought concerning the charity-boy ; but as he

THE MURDER ON THE THAMES—TODD'S NARROW ESCAPE.{Figure}

had finished the communion-table, he did not flunk that for the mere dusting the pulpit and its cushions, it was worth while to make any fuss.
"It will soon be over," he said, "very soon. I'll just pop up and settle the pulpit and then get home again as quick as I possibly can. I do wonder, now if that old Todd will be caught soon? The old wretch!"
Th ebeadte began the ascent of the pulpit.

ill