Part 70 (2/2)

”Then turn him out by force,” said Williams. But the other two were wiser. ”No, we must not do that--we can keep him out if once he crosses the door.”

”I will manage it for you, gentlemen,” said Mr. Hawes.

”Do.”

Mr. Hawes went out and primed Fry with a message to Mr. Eden that a gentleman had ridden over from Oxford to see him, and was at his house.

Mr. Eden was in his room busy collecting and arranging several papers.

He had just tied them up in a little portfolio when he heard Fry's voice at the door. When that worthy delivered his message his lip curled with scorn. But he said, ”Very well.” I will disappoint the sly b.o.o.bies, thought he. But the next moment, looking out of his window, he saw a fly with a gray horse coming along the road. ”At last,” he cried, and instantly unbolted his door, and issued forth with his little portfolio under his arm. He had scarce taken ten steps when a turnkey popped out from a corner and stood sentinel over his room-door, barring all return.

Mr. Eden smiled and pa.s.sed on along the corridor. He descended from the first floor to the bas.e.m.e.nt. Here he found Hawes affecting business, but not skillfully enough to hide that he was watching Mr. Eden out.

In the yard leading to the great door he found the injustices. Aha!

thought he--waiting to see me out. He raised his hat politely. Williams took no notice. The others slight.

”There is many a slip 'Twixt the cup and the lip,”

said he to them, looking them calmly over, then sauntered toward the gate.

Mr. Hawes came creeping after and joined the injustices; every eye furtively watched the parson whom they had outwitted. Fry himself had gone to the lodge to let him out and keep him out. He was but a few steps from the door. Hawes chuckled; his heart beat with exultation. A nether moment and that huge barrier would be interposed forever between him and his enemy, the prisoners' friend.

”Open the door, Mr. Fry,” said the chaplain. Fry pulled it quickly open.

”And let that gentleman in!”

A middle-aged gentleman was paying off his fly. The door being thus thrown open he walked quickly into the jail as if it belonged to him.

”Who is this?” inquired Mr. Williams sharply. The newcomer inquired as sharply, ”The governor of this jail?”

Mr. Hawes stepped forward: ”I am the governor.” The newcomer handed him his card and a note.

”Mr. Lacy from the Home Office,” said Mr. Hawes to the injustices.

”These, sir, are the visiting justices.”

Mr. Lacy bowed, but addressed himself to Mr. Hawes only. ”Grave charges have been made against you, sir. I am here to see whether matters are such as to call for a closer investigation.”

”May I ask, sir, who makes the charges against me?”

”The chaplain of your own jail.”

”But he is my enemy, sir, my personal enemy.”

”Don't distress yourself. No public man is safe from detraction. We hear an excellent account of you from every quarter but this one. My visit will probably turn to your advantage.”

Hawes brightened.

”Is there any room in which I could conduct this inquiry?”

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