The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 219: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE PRISONER 201 secret but minute inquiries into the character of the mur- dered lawyer’s housekeeper, Mrs. Webber.” ‘““ And what was the result? ”’ inquired Captain Stanley. “ Nothing of importance,” responded the baronet; ‘ in- deed, she appeared to be almost a complete stranger in Liverpool, and had only been a very short time in Mr. Pollard’s service before he met his death in so terrible a manner. Mr. Redcliffe besought my good offices as a mag- istrate on behalf of Lettice Rodney, and ere he took his de- parture for London, he begged me to write to him so soon as the young woman should be in a condition to receive a visit from him. Six weeks elapsed before I was enabled to make such a communication, but in the meantime I received two or three letters from Mr. Redcliffe, informing me that a few little incidents which had come to his knowledge, seemed to afford something like a corroboration of certain parts of the tale which Lettice Rodney had told in her defence. At the expiration of those six weeks, Mr. Redcliffe returned, in consequence of a communication which he received from me, and he then had an interview with Lettice Rodney in the gaol. The result was to establish the con- viction in his mind that she is really innocent. But he pru- dently ‘abstained from giving her too much hope, lest after all it should be doomed to disappointment. On that occa- _ sion he remained with me a few days, and now he is returning into our neighbourhood to assure himself that the lawyer to whom he has entrusted the case thoroughly understands it.”’ “All this is most extraordinary,” exclaimed Captain Stanley; “‘ the whole tale is a romance.” “From the positive manner in which Mr. Redcliffe has written and spoken to me,” rejoined Sir William, ‘‘I am fully inclined to adopt his opinion. Besides, as a visiting magistrate I have seen this Lettice Rodney, I have conversed with her, I have questioned her upon various features of her tale, and I have found her consistent in all its parts. That she is penitent, too, I am well assured, and most sincerely do . I hope that Mr. Redcliffe will succeed in his humane pur- se.’”’ . “‘ And I entertain a similar hope,” cried Captain Stanley, with warmth. “ If I can render Mr. Redcliffe the slightest assistance in prosecuting his inquiries or researches, I shall be only too happy.” COMNMIC OOO) <S) (C(O) im