Page 289 - A Jacobite Exile

"Well, sir, if that is your humour, I have a brother who is one of the mayor's
tipstaffs. He knows the city well, ay, and Westminster, too, and the purlieus

of Saint James's, and whether you want to meet young gallants or roistering
blades, or to have a look in at places where you can hire a man to cut

another's throat for a few crowns, he can show you them. He will be on
duty now, but I will send him a message to come round this evening, and I
warrant me he will be here. He has showed young squires from the country

over the town before this, and will guess what is on hand when he gets my
message."

Having nothing to do, Charlie sauntered about the town during the day,
looking into the shops, and keeping a keen eye on passers by, with the

vague hope that he might be lucky enough to come across his man.

After he had finished his supper, the waiter came up and told him that his
brother was outside.

"I have spoken to him, sir, and he warrants that he can take you into the sort
of society you want to meet, whatever it may be."

Charlie followed him out. A man was standing under the lamp that swung
before the door.

"This is the gentleman I was speaking to you of, Tony."

As the man took off his cap, Charlie had a good view of his face. It was
shrewd and intelligent.

"You understand what I want?" he asked, as the waiter ran into the house

again, to attend to his duties.

"Yes, sir. So far as I understood him, you wish to go to taverns of

somewhat inferior reputations, and to see something of that side of London
life. If you will pardon my boldness, it is somewhat of a dangerous venture.

In such places brawls are frequent, and rapiers soon out.