Page:Paul Clifford Vol 3.djvu/299

Rh of his official satellites. "Bring me that paper instantly!" he whispered.

The officer bowed and obeyed. The man, who seemed a little intoxicated, gave it with a look of ludicrous triumph and self-importance.

"Stand avay, man!" he added to the constable, who now laid hand on his collar—"you'll see vot the Judge says to that 'ere bit of paper, and so vill the Prisoner, poor fellow!"

This scene, so unworthy the dignity of the Court, attracted the notice and (immediately around the intruder) the merriment of the crowd, and many an eye was directed towards Brandon, as with calm gravity he opened the note and glanced over the contents. In a large schoolboy hand—it was the hand of Long Ned—were written these few words:—

",

" bold to beg you will do all you can for the prisoner at the Barre; as he is no other than the 'Paul' I spoke to your Worship about. You know what I mean.