One officer
entered the coach with them: another mounted the box. Two
other coaches carried the rest of the prisoners and their
guards, and within halt an hour from the arrival of Sybil at
the scene of the secret meeting, she was on her way to Bow
Street to be examined as a prisoner of state.
Sybil rallied quickly during their progress to the police
office. Satisfied to find herself with her father she would
have enquired as to all that had happened, but Gerard at first
discouraged her; at length he thought it wisest gradually to
convey to her that they were prisoners, but he treated the
matter lightly, did not doubt that she would immediately be
discharged, and added that though he might be detained for a
day or so, his offence was at all events bailable and he had
friends on whom he could rely. When Sybil clearly
comprehended that she was a prisoner, and that her public
examination was impending, she became silent, and leaning back
in the coach, covered her face with her hands.
The prisoners arrived at Bow Street; they were hurried into a
back office, where they remained some time unnoticed, several
police-men remaining in the room. At length about twenty
minutes having elapsed, a man dressed in black and of a severe
aspect entered the room accompanied by an inspector of police.
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