Page:Statement of the attempted rescue of General Lafayette from Olmutz.djvu/10

blank paper to write the English names on, he found (by chance) a piece in his pocket, on which he wrote with a pencil, in the Doctor's presence, showing it to him, and adding a line of apparently no consequence, when you have read this, put it in the fire, or “mettez au feu.” The General rightly interpreted the last words, and when alone, put the scrap of paper to the fire, instead of into it, and discovered it was closely written in lemon juice, informing him of the efforts of his English friends to rescue him, by the assistance of Dr. Bollman, who now requested some answer and information, as to the best time and mode of making the attempt, and any other, particulars he could give him. Either on that or the next day, the unsuspicious Doctor carried a little book from Dr. Bollman to General Lafayette, after he had himself inspected it, requesting the General would give his opinion of the work. The book was soon returned with a polite message, and on the margin in lemon juice he found the following letter, which is here appended:

 

“I have no time my dear friend now to enter into the particulars of my situation, which, however, I will do by the time the trembling doctor can come back, provided you persuade him to give me your answer, or to smuggle another book to you. Let me only say, that the usual means of evasion have been so well provided against that nothing is left for us