"Oh, yes—yes," said Johanna. "You are right, and you are very good to preface bad news in so kind a manner, Sir Richard. It is good, and kind, and grateful, and like you in all respects. I thank you from my heart."
"But what's it all about?" cried Mark Ingestrie. "Good gracious, what's it all about? Who talks of bad news? If all our friends are well, how can there be bad news? Do not keep us in suspense, Sir Richard!"
"No—no," said Johanna.
"I will not."
Both Johanna and Mark Ingestrie looked most intently at the magistrate, as he said in his quiet way—
"Sweeney Todd has escaped from Newgate, and is now at large!"
Mark Ingestrie sprang to his feet, and Johanna, for a moment, turned rather pale.
"The villain!" cried Mark.
"Hush!" said Johanna. "Oh, hush, Mark!"
"It was of the utmost importance," continued Sir Richard Blunt, speaking quite calmly, "that all who were in any way comprehended in the list of what Sweeney Todd would call his enemies, should be speedily informed of this fact, and that is what has brought me to Chelsea at so early an hour in the morning."