The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 289: what you’re looking at

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

286 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘TI know him —the scoundrel!” cried Page. ‘‘ Upon my word, I am quite at home with all these characters. But go on.” “Well, the three villains got into the house at night, bound my father neck and heels with strong cords, and held a pistol to my head while they ransacked the place; but not a trace of the pocketbook could they find. I suppose the old man used to bury it in the cellar. However, they went away sadly disappointed; and the next morning the Mags- man came and made his peace with my father, for I imagine that they were too useful to each other and too deeply mixed up in certain transactions to remain bad friends.” “No doubt of it!’’ observed Page. ‘“‘ And now that I bethink me again,’ he continued, producing a paper from the pocketbook, ‘‘ here is a blank sheet folded in the form of a letter. Perhaps a little application of the chemical wash will elicit more secrets — eh, Julia? ”’ “Let us try presently. Has it any address? ” she inquired. “None. It was doubtless enclosed in an envelope like the little note; and it may perhaps be the very letter which was to follow that note. But if these missives were really sent to the Magsman, how came they in your father’s pos- session? ”’ ‘“T know that Warren was constantly pestering the old man about the half of the document,’’ said Julia; ‘‘ and perhaps he gave him these letters to prove that a negotiation might still be effected with Meagles and Lady Letitia. At all events, the date on that little note — July 7, 1794 — proves that it must have been sent within a very few days after those persons called; because I remember well that their visit took place in the early part of that month last year.” _“ We will lose no time now in procuring the drugs to make the chemical preparation for this blank letter,’ said Page; “and we wili talk more about the contents of the pocket- book another time. Come,” he exclaimed, starting from his seat and approaching the window, “ the snow has left off, the weather is clearing up, and we will go out at once. But you must unsew your stays and give me the receipts.”’ “That is soon done,’ observed Julia; and she entered the bedroom for the purpose, while Page secured the pocket- book in a cupboard, of which he was careful to take the key. ECORNIE DCO KS (EO) m