Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

TERRIBLE AND STRANGE REVELATIONS = 285 July 7, 1794. “The next post will bring you a long letter, full of the necessary explanations. Rub it over with the chemical preparation. I shall see T. M. to-morrow evening. 66 Totes “ This is no doubt from the lady you speak of! ” exclaimed Page, after hastily glancing over the note. “ L. L. stands for Letitia Lade, and T. M. means Timothy Meagles. It is as clear as daylight.” “TI never saw that letter before,’’ observed Julia. ‘ To whom 1s it addressed? ”’ ‘To nobody. It doubtless was enclosed in an envelope, which was thrown away.” “ Well, I should think it was written to the Magsman,”’ observed Julia, after a few moments’ reflection; ‘‘ because she would scarcely tell my father to use the chemical prep- aration for the letter that was to follow, — as he was sure to do so on receiving a blank sheet of paper. Besides, I do not remember that either she or Meagles ever paid my father a second visit, and I know that on the occasion when they were all closeted together, as | was just now tellmg you, _ the. interview concluded in a manner which put an end to all negotiation.”’ ‘“ How was that?’ inquired Page. “Why, when Meagles made his proposals for the half of the certificate,’ returned Julia, “‘ my father instantly ex- claimed, ‘ Then the other half is in existence; and you know where it is! Perhaps it is even in your possession?’ Meagles vowed complete ignorance, and observed that he was a mere agent in the business. Thereupon my father declared that he would only treat with a principal; and he accused the Magsman of knowing more about the affair than he chose to coniess. Warren protested against this charge; a quarrel ensued, and Meagles took his departure with Lady Letitia, no arrangement having been made.’’ “I wonder that the Magsman never tried to rob your father of his papers,” observed Page. “God bless you! he did, within a week after this business,” exclaimed Julia; “‘ but the old man concealed the pocketbook so effectually that the search was instituted in vain. The Magsman, Briggs, and a fellow called the Big Beggarman —”’ GOMiGdooks (Cc)