The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

94 THE COURT OF LONDON of the 5th that I was plunged into this cell, where I have remained ever since.” ‘“ Nevertheless, it was on Tuesday evening, the 5th, that I saw you at the George and Blue Boar,’’ exclaimed the commercial traveller. ‘‘ Il am sure I cannot be wrong,” he continued in a musing tone. ‘‘ No — it was on the Tuesday evening I chased you as far as the Edgeware Road — on Wednesday evening I went to the Beggar’s Staff — and we may call this Thursday night, for the sake of being intel- gible, although it is by this time two o’clock on Friday morning.’ ‘Then I can assure you once more that. I had been for some hours an inmate of this loathsome place when you imagine that we met in Holborn,’’ said Sir Richard Stam- ford. ‘‘ But may I inquire wherefore you chased any in- dividual whom you supposed to be me as far as the Edge- ware Road?” ‘To speak candidly,” replied Page, ‘‘ I was induced to plunge headlong into that mad freak by the reward offered for your apprehension.” “ Villain! how dare you make a jest of my misfortunes? ” exclaimed the baronet, starting up in a state of terrible excite- ment, and feeling his way toward the commercial traveller. ‘“ Keep off, sir!’’ cried the latter, retreating into a corner of the cellar. ‘‘ I did not mean to irritate you — I only spoke the truth! ”’ “The truth!” repeated Sir Richard Stamford. Then, as a sudden idea struck him, he said, in a tone of acute anguish, “ T begin to see it all! The miscreants Martin and Ramsey have vilified my name — perhaps accused me of deeds which itis maddening to contemplate! My good friend,’ continued the baronet, exerting all his strength to subdue the agonizing emotions which raged within him, “ pardon me for my warmth, and let us understand each other.’’ | “That is precisely what I most desire,” returned Page; “but Iam so bewildered and confused that I know not how to separate and classify my ideas.” “ Permit me to take upon myself the part of interrogator,”’ said the baronet. ‘‘ On what ground has a reward been offered for my apprehension? ”’ “Shall I tell you? ” said the commercial traveller, with suine degree of hesitation, 72 CONNIE OC) KS (Elo) m