Page 374 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

more than uncertain; for my doom is life, unless the Gov-
ernment alter their plans concerning me, and allow me an
opportunity to earn my freedom by hard work.
‘‘The blessing of God rest with you, my dear father, and
that you may be washed white in the blood of the Lamb is
the prayer of your
‘‘Unfortunate Son, ‘‘John Rex ‘‘P.S.—-Though your sins
be as scarlet they shall be whiter than snow.’.’
‘Is that all?’ said Frere.
‘That is all, sir, and a very touching letter it is.’
‘So it is,’ said Frere. ‘Now let me have it a moment, Mr.
Meekin.’
He took the paper, and referring to the numbers of the
texts which he had written in his pocket-book, began to
knit his brows over Mr. John Rex’s impious and hypocriti-
cal production. ‘I thought so,’ he said, at length. ‘Those texts
were never written for nothing. It’s an old trick, but cleverly
done.’
‘What do you mean?’ said Meekin. ‘Mean!’ cries Frere,
with a smile at his own acuteness. ‘This precious composi-
tion contains a very gratifying piece of intelligence for Mr.
Blicks, whoever he is. Some receiver, I’ve no doubt. Look
here, Mr. Meekin. Take the letter and this pencil, and begin
at the first text. The 102nd Psalm, from the 4th verse to the
12th inclusive, doesn’t he say? Very good; that’s nine verses,
isn’t it? Well, now, underscore nine consecutive words from
the second word immediately following the next text quot-
ed, ‘I have hope,’ etc. Have you got it?’
‘Yes,’ says Meekin, astonished, while all heads bent over