“We have not yet spoken of Nizza Macascree,” said Hodges, after a pause, tapping him kindly on the shoulder.  “I think I have discovered a trace of her.”

“I am glad to hear it,” replied Leonard, rousing himself.  “She is another victim of these profligates.  But I will be revenged upon them all.”

“I have before enjoined you to restrain your indignation, just though it be,” returned Hodges.  “I have not yet found out whither she has been taken.  But I have a clue which, unless I am mistaken, will lead me to it.  But I must now dismiss you, I have other affairs to attend to, and must give a dangerous and difficult case, on which I have been consulted, undisturbed consideration.  Make my house your home as long as you think proper.”

Warmly thanking the doctor, Leonard then withdrew.  Shortly after this, he walked forth, and ascertaining that he was not required by his master, determined to satisfy himself by actual observation of the extent of the ravages of the plague.

With this view, he shaped his course along Lad-lane, and traversing Cateaton-street, entered Lothbury.  The number of houses which he here found closed, with red crosses on the doors, and the fatal inscription above them, convinced him that the deplorable accounts he had heard were not exaggerated.  In passing some of these habitations, he saw such ghastly faces at the windows, and heard such lamentable cries, that he was glad to hurry on and get out of sight and hearing.  In Throgmorton-street, nearly opposite Drapers’ Hall, a poor wretch suddenly opened a casement, and before his attendants could force him back, threw himself from a great height to the ground, and broke his neck.  Another incident, of an equally distressing nature, occurred.  A young and richly-dressed young man issued from a tavern in Broad-street, and with a wild and inflamed countenance, staggered along.  He addressed some insulting language to Leonard, but the latter, who desired no quarrel, disregarded his remarks, and let him pass.  The next person encountered by the drunken man was a young female.  Suddenly catching her in his arms, he imprinted a kiss upon her lips:  and then, with a frightful laugh, shouted, “I have given you the plague!  Look here!” and tearing aside the collar of his shirt, he exhibited a large tumour.  The young woman uttered a shriek of terror and fainted, while her ruthless assailant took to his heels, and running as long as his strength lasted, fell down, and was taken to the pest-house, where he was joined that same night by his victim.  And this was by no means an uncommon occurrence.  The distemper acted differently on different temperaments.  Some it inflamed to an ungovernable pitch of madness, others it reduced to the depths of despair, while in many cases it brought out and aggravated the worst parts of the character.  Wives conveyed the infection intentionally to their husbands, husbands to their wives, parents to their children, lovers to the objects