Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 111: 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. ‘ I 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 | went to the Beggar’s Staff — and we may call this Thursday night, for the sake of being intel- ligible, 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 Hidge- 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 ony 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 it is 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 I am 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 soine degree of hesitation, 3 Gomichbooks (E(@) m