The String of Pearls (1850), p. 600

escapes. Such a man as Todd should not have been allowed to be for five minutes quite alone."
"I think so, too," said the officer ; if and there's another thing must be put a stop to before any good is done in Newgate."
"What's that, my friend?"
"Why, Sir Richard, the religious ladies must be stopped from coming in the moment now that any notorious malefactor is cast for death, the prison is besieged by religious ladies, who, if they had their own way, would eat, drink, and sleep with him in his cell and they bring in all sorts of things that are quite enough to help the fellow out of limbo. Why, Sir Richard, there was Michael Richardson that was cast for death for murdering his wife; a religious lady came to pray with him, and brought him in files and tools enough for him to get out of the stone jug, and off they both went together to America."
"It is a serious evil."
"I believe you, Sir Richard; and, I think, the only way will be to let 'em all know that before they pass the lobby they will be well searched by a couple of turnkeys."
"That ought to stop them," said Sir Richard, as he rung the bell sharply.
"You may depend upon it I will mention your suggestion to the Secretary of State."
One of the magistrate's servants now made his appearance in answers to the summons by the bell.
"My horse directly, Jones," said Sir Richard Blunt.
"Yes, sir."
In the course of ten minutes, Sir Richard Blunt was mounted, and off at a good trot to the City. Any one would have thought that he was going to Newgate; but such was not the case. The prisoners had flown, and he felt that by going to the prison he could only gratify his curisity by seeing the precise mode in which they had effected their escape, when by going where he did go, he might do some good.
He did not halt until he found himself at the shop of old Mr. Oakley, and then, although the hour was a very early one, he knocked at the door. Mr. Oakley put his head out at the window, and Sir Richard said—
"Don't be alarmed; I only want to speak to you for a few moments."
"Oh, dear me, yes," said the old man. "I'm coming down stairs directly—I'm coming."
In a few moments the old spectacle-maker opened the door, and came out to the side of the horse, from which the magistrate did not dismount, but leaning down to Mr. Oakley, he said, in an earnest tone—
"There's no occasion for any alarm, but I have come to tell you that Sweeney Todd has escaped from prison."
"Oh, Lord!"
"Hush! It is of no great moment. Where is your daughter and Mr. Ingestrie? I must put them upon their guard against anything that may arise, for there is no exactly saying what that rascal, Todd, may be at."
"Oh, he will murder everybody."
"I think, Mr. Oakley that is going just a little too far, for I will take good care that he don't murder me, nor any one else, if I can by any possibility help it. I will soon have him, I think. Where is Mr. Ingestrie, Mr. Oakley?"
"Oh, dear, they are at the new house in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. It's just opposite to the water if you go—"
"If I know all about it, thank you, Mr. Oakley. All's right. Be under no apprehension, and above all thing, don't you believe one word of anything you hear about Todd from popular rumour or from the newspapers. I will let you know everything that is of any consequence, personally or by letter. Good morning. I hope Mrs. Oakley is quite well this morning?"
"Yes, charming; but, dear me!"
"Yes, it is dear me. Good morning."