The chaplain was holding the testimonial loosely between his finger and thumb. Stretching out his arm, Mankell pointed at it with his hand. It was immediately in flames. The chaplain releasing it, it was consumed to ashes before it reached the floor. Returning to face the governor gain, the prisoner laid his right hand, palm downwards, on the table: "Spirits of the air, in whose presence I now stand, I ask you if I am not justified in whatever I may do?" His voice was very musical. His upturned eyes seemed to pierce through the ceiling to what there was beyond. The room grew darker. There was a rumbling in the air. The ground began to shake. The chaplain, who was caressing the hand which had been scorched by the flames, burst out with what was for him a passionate appeal: "Mr. Mankell, you are over hasty. I was about to explain that I should esteem it quite an honour to sign your testimonial." "So should I--upon my soul, I should!" declared the Major. "There's nothing I wouldn't do to oblige you, Mr. Mankell," stammered the chief warder. "Same 'ere!" cried Warder Slater. "You really are too rapid in arriving at conclusions, Mr. Mankell," remarked the governor. "I do beg you will not suppose there was any negative intention." The darkness, the rumbling, and the shaking ceased as suddenly as they began. The prisoner smiled. "Perhaps I was too hasty," he confessed. "It is an error which can easily be rectified." He raised his hand. A piece of paper fluttered from the ceiling. It fell upon the table. It was the testimonial. "Your signature, Major Hardinge, should head the list." "I--I--I'd rather somebody else signed first." "That would never do: it is for you to lead the van. You are free to leave your seat." The Major left his seat, apparently not rejoicing in his freedom. He wrote "William Hardinge" in great sprawling characters. "Add 'Inspector of Prisons.'" The Major added "Inspector of Prisons," with a very rueful countenance. "Mr. Paley, it is your turn." Mr. Paley took his turn, with a really tolerable imitation of being both ready and willing. Acting on the hint which had been given the Major, he added "Governor" of his own accord. "Now, doctor, it is you." The doctor thrust his hands into his trousers' pockets. "I'll sign, if you'll tell me how it is done." "Tell you how it is done? How what is done?" "How you do that hanky-panky, of course." "Hanky-panky!" The prisoner drew himself straight up. "Is it possible that you suspect me of hanky-panky? Yes, sir, I will show you how it's done. If you wish it, you shall be torn asunder where you stand." "Thank you,--you needn't trouble. I'll sign." He signed. The chaplain shook his head and sighed. "I always placed a literal interpretation on the twenty-eighth chapter of the first book of Samuel. It is singular how my faith is justified!"