The String of Pearls (1850), p. 489

and at odd 'times smiling to herself in a ghastly fashion, while we pop down to the cellars, and take a glance at the impatient imprisoned cook.
About ten minutes before he received the letter—if letter the little flattering memorandum of Mrs. Lovett could be called—from his mistress, the cook had
been a little alarmed by a noise in the stone pantry, where the mysterious meat

TOBIAS AND MINNA REJOICE AT THE CAPTURE OF TODD AND MRS. LOVETT.{Figure}

used to make its appearance. Upon proceeding to the spot with a light, he found lying upon the floor a sealed paper, upon lifting which he saw was addressed to himself, and at one corner was written the following wordshttp://salisburysquare.com/TSOP/
"Definitive instructions for to-night from Sir Richard Blunt."
To tear open the letter and to read it with great care, was the work of a few moments only, and then drawing a long breath, the cook said—