Warn all except the Secretary,
who has already been acquainted." There was no signature, and he did
not know the handwriting. He reflected for a little while, and then
determined to consult Caillaud and Coleman, who were his informal
Cabinet. He had no difficulty in finding Coleman, but the Caillauds
were not at home, and it was agreed that postponement could do no
harm. A message was therefore left at Caillaud's house, and one was
sent to every one of the members, but two or three could not be
discovered.
Meanwhile Mr. Secretary, who, strange to say, had NOT been
acquainted, had been a little overcome by Mr. Hardy's brandy on the
top of the beer he had taken beforehand, and woke in the morning very
miserable. Finding the five guineas in his pocket, he was tempted to
a public-house hard by, in order that he might cool his stomach and
raise his spirits with a draught or two of ale. He remained there a
little too long, and on reaching home was obliged to go to bed again.
He awoke about six, and then it came into his still somewhat confused
brain that he had to attend the meeting. At half-past seven he
accordingly took his departure. Meanwhile the Major and Zachariah
had determined to post themselves in Red Lion Street, to intercept
those of their comrades with whom they had not been able to
communicate, and also to see what was going to happen.
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