) Ten minutes later again,
then, when the talk had moved to affairs of the journey, and the valise
had been forgotten, it was an entirely unsuspicious circumstance that
George and the man that sat next him should slip out to take the air in
the stable-court. The Londoner was so fuddled with drink as to think
that he had gone out at his own deliberate wish; and there, in the
fresh air, the inevitable result followed; his head swam, and he leaned
on big George for support. And here, by the one stroke of luck that
visited poor George this evening, it fell that he was just in time to
see Mr. Topcliffe himself pass the archway in the direction of Friar's
Gate, in company with a magistrate, who had supped with him upstairs.
Up to this point George had moved blindly, step by step. He had had his
instructions from his master, yet all that he had been able to determine
was the general plan to find out where the papers were kept, to remain
in the inn till the last possible moment, and to watch for any chance
that might open to him. Truly, he had no more than that, except, indeed,
a vague idea that it might be necessary to bribe one of the men to rob
his master. Yet there was everything against this, and it was, indeed, a
last resort. It seemed now, however, that another way was open. It was
exceedingly probable that Mr. Topcliffe was off for his last visit to
the prisoner, and, since a magistrate was with him, it was exceedingly
improbable that he would take the paper with him.
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