The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASON’S DAUGHTER. 195 While the widow and her visitor were still examining the paper, there came a rat-tat—the short, peculiar knock of the postman—at the door. The man brought a letter for one of the lodgers; and, contrary to his usual habits—for he was very punctual in his delivery —entered the house to inquire after his old friend and brother, Gridley. | ‘‘ Mad,” replied the widow, wiping her eyes; “quite — mad! he has forgotten even how to write his name.”’ ‘“‘ Forgotten how to write his name!” repeated the astonished postman; “ poor fellow—he must be mad indeed, then.”’ “ Look there !”” said Meg, handing the paper; “he thought he was writing a letter. Who could make head or tail of that ?’’. The man took the paper. No sooner did his eyes glance upon the sacred characters, than an exclamation of surprise broke from him. The fact was, the poor old clerk had written in the masonic cypher ; to which only the initiated possess the key; and the postman happened to be tyler to the principal lodge in the town. | ‘Where did you get this?” he demanded. ** Lizzy brought it,”’ replied Mrs. Bentley, pointing to the child ; “ canst thee make anything out of it ?”’ ‘‘ Not much,” said the man; “ but there are others who will make more of it thanI can. If there are no. better proofs than this that poor Gridley is mad, we shall soon see him amongst us again.” 0 2 COniiclooecl SS (SO