It was not the kind of
paper--if, indeed, it existed at all--that more persons would be allowed
to see than were parties to the very discreditable affair.
And now George spoke earnestly and convincingly. He desired to see the
baggage of so great a man as Mr. Topcliffe; he had heard so much of him.
His friend was a good fellow who trusted him (here George embraced him
warmly). Surely such a little thing would be allowed as for him, George,
to step in and view Mr. Topcliffe's baggage, while the faithful servant
kept watch in the passage! Perhaps another glass of ale--
III
"Yes, sir," said George an hour later, still a little flushed with the
amount of drink he had been forced to consume. "I had some trouble to
get it. But I think this is what your honour wanted."
He began to search in his deep breast-pocket.
"Tell me," said Mr. Biddell.
"I got the fellow to watch in the passage, sir; him that I had made
drunk, while I was inside. There were great bundles of papers in the
valise.... No, sir, it was strapped up only.... The most of the papers
were docketed very legally, sir; so I did not have to search long. There
were three or four papers in a little packet by themselves; besides a
great packet that was endorsed with Mr. FitzHerbert's name, as well as
Mr. Topcliffe's and my lord Shrewsbury's; and I think I should not have
had time to look that through. But, by God's mercy, it was one of the
three or four by themselves.
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