The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRISONER _ 201 secret but minute inquiries into the character of the mur- dered lawyer’s housekeeper, Mrs. Webber.”’ ‘And what was the result?’ inquired Captain Stanley. “ Nothing of importance,’’ responded the baronet; “ in- deed, she appeared to be almost a complete stranger in Liverpool, and had only been a very short time in Mr. Pollard’s service before he met his death in so terrible a manner. Mr. Redcliffe besought my good offices as a mag- istrate on behalf of Lettice Rodney, and ere he took his de- parture for London, he begged me to write to him so soon as the young woman should be in a condition to receive a - visit from him. Six weeks elapsed before I was enabled to make such a communication, but in the meantime I received two or three letters from Mr. Redcliffe, informing me that a few little incidents which had come to his knowledge, seemed to afford something like a corroboration-of certain parts of the tale which Lettice Rodney had told in her defence. At the expiration of those six weeks, Mr. Redclitte returned, in consequence of a communication which he received from me, and he then had an interview with Lettice Rodney in the gaol. The result was to establish the con- viction in his-mind that she is really innocent. But he pru- dently abstained from giving her too much hope, lest after all it should be doomed to disappointment. On that occa- sion he remained with me a few days, and now he is returning into our neighbourhood to assure himself that the lawyer to _~whom he has entrusted the case thoroughly understands it.”’ “ All this 1s most extraordinary,’ exclaimed Captain Stanley; ‘“ the whole tale is a romance.” “From the positive manner in which Mr. Redcliffe has written and spoken to me,” rejoined Sir William, ‘‘I am fully inclined to adopt his opinion. Besides, as a visiting magistrate I have seen this Lettice Rodney, I have conversed with her, I have questioned her upon various features of her tale, and I have found her consistent in all its parts. That she is penitent, too, I am well assured, and most sincerely do I hope that Mr. Redcliffe will succeed in his humane pur- pose.” “ And I entertain a similar hope,” cried Captain Stanley, with warmth. “If I can render Mr. Redcliffe the slightest assistance 1n prosecuting his inquiries or researches, I shall be only too happy.” CORNICLOO® cS (S(O) mn