Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 344: what you’re looking at

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

MEAGLES AND THE AMAZON 327 ‘“ The man did not know the nature of our business,’”’ ob- served Lady Letitia. ‘‘ Wenever spoke to him before in our lives; and it was only in consequence of what Warren told us last June or July — or whenever it might have been — that we were even aware of the fellow’s name. We were desired, when we wanted to see Warren, to make inquiries of Briggs or else at this place.”’ ‘“ Just so, my lady,” said the Beggarman. “ Briggs is as cautious a chap as here and there one.’’ ‘But perhaps there is some way of tracing old Light- foot’s daughter,’ exclaimed Meagles, the thought suddenly striking him. “ We'll endeavour to do so, sir,’’ returned the Big Beggar- man; ‘and if we hear anything we'll let you know. I ‘spose a letter, written in the inwisible ink, the secret of which you bought of the Magsman, will always reach your ladyship in safety? ”’ “Oh, certainly,’ replied the Amazon. ‘“ But the address must not be invisible also,’ she added, laughing. ‘ T should rayther think not, ma’am,” responded the burly villain. “ Well, you will make inquiries after Lightfoot’s daughter, will you? ”’ said Meagles, tossing down five guineas upon the table as an earnest of future recompense. ‘‘ Now, Letitia,”’ he continued, turning toward his beautiful companion, ‘“we will take our departure; and I hope we shall not have to encounter any more adventures such as the one which detained us just now.” “Was it so very unpleasant, sir? ’’ asked the Beggarman, merely by way of making an observation which he fancied to be polite, and not through any sentiment of curiosity, much less on account of any suspicion of the real nature of that adventure. ‘““T will tell you,”’ said Meagles. ‘‘ You know already that her ladyship and myself called in the first instance this evening at the house in Shadwell or Wapping, wherever it may be. Well, not finding the Magsman there, as we have likewise already explained to you, we cut across to the stairs at Execution Dock, to take a boat — ”’ “ Ah! an ugly place, that! ’’ exclaimed the Beggarman, suddenly becoming interested in the tale. “Yes, it is indeed,” responded Meagles; ‘‘ and there’s a GOMmiicdooks (C©)