The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

THE TOKENS 45 But still he saw not how the token sent to him could possibly form a link in any chain of contemplated treachery, and much less could he understand how he should be com- promising himself by sending some sign in reply. Besides, where nothing was risked nothing would be gained; and if he indeed had friends outside, 1t was his duty to acknowledge their good intentions and do all he could to further them. Therefore, without any more hesitation, he at once wrote on the back of the slip of paper the following words: ‘‘ Has Miss Louisa returned to Canterbury, or is she with her sister in Stratton Street, London? ”’ ‘‘ When are you to meet the Englishman again? ”’ he asked, as he handed the scrap of paper back to the old nurse. ‘“ This evening at seven o’clock,”’ was the response. “ But in the meantime, do you write to the prefect and solicit that I shall remain in attendance upon you.”’ Loftus hastened to comply with this suggestion; and in the course of an hour he received a written answer from the prefect, couched in the following terms: ‘“‘ CABINET OF THE PREFECTURE OF POLICE, ‘November 24, 1814. “ SIR: ne beg to inform you that I have received your note, and in reply thereto have to state that the attentions of the nurse shall be continued toward you so long as you remain a prisoner in the prefecture. But the medical attendant has this day reported your complete recovery; and I have therefore to inform you that, according to the instructions which I have received, you must prepare for removal to another place in the course of two or three days, unless you assent to those terms which may at once empower me to restore you to liberty. ‘* T have the honour to salute you, “THE PREFECT OF POLICE.” Jocelyn read this note to the old nurse, watching her countenance as he did so; but he could not discover in her looks anything to make him suspect that she was playing him false or was privy to any new plot initiated against him. He now therefore anxiously awaited the result of her next interview with the Englishman, and as seven o’clock ap- proached, his excitement rose to the highest degree. At CoOnniclooolks (C(O)