"Now then," said Sir Richard Blunt, "it is time for us to go to Bow Street, where I appear as a witness to-day, instead of as a magistrate."
As he spoke, the clock in the office sounded the half-past twelve.
All the guests of the magistrate rose, for they knew that his duties were imperative. There was a tone of great gravity now about Sir Richard Blunt as he spoke—
"I fully expect," he said, "that Todd will be committed for trial and Mrs. Lovett likewise. Already she has made repeated applications to her attendants in prison, to be permitted to become evidence against Todd."
"Which will surely not be permitted?" said the colonel.
"Certainly not; the evidence against him is quite clear enough without the assistance of Mrs. Lovett, while the proofs of her criminality with him, are of too strong a character for her to be given any chance of escape."
"She is a dreadful woman."
"She is, indeed; but you will all of you soon see how she conducts herself now, for she will be brought up with Todd."
CHAPTER CXXI.
TODD IS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL, AND EXPECTS THE WORST.
By the time the police office at Bow Street opened upon the morning, a wild vague, and uncertain sort of rumour had spread itself over London, concerning the discoveries that had been made at Todd's house in Fleet Street, and at Mrs. Lovett's in Bell Yard, Temple Bar.