“Ha, Warde, is that you?” he said, nodding cheerfully to the pair of eyes. “Rather late to look in upon you, eh? But it’s a matter of life and death—nothing less—that has brought us. Some most important evidence in our favour has turned up at the last moment, and it is imperative that I should see my client without a moment’s delay.” “It’s long past the hour for visitors, Mr. Hoskyns, as you know; and it would be as much as my place is worth to——” “Where’s the governor? where’s my friend, Mr. Dux?” interrupted Hoskyns, impatiently. “Fetch him. He’ll put the matter right in a moment.” “Mr. Dux, sir, is somewhere in the town, and has not yet got home. But I’ll fetch Mr. Jackson, sir; perhaps he may be able to do something for you.” Jackson, the chief night-warder, was quickly on the spot, and the case explained to him in a few words. “It’s against the regulations, of course, Mr. Hoskyns,” said Jackson; “but considering the emergency of the case, and in the absence of Mr. Dux, I will take upon myself the responsibility of allowing you to see Mr. Dering.” “Thank you very much, Jackson—very much indeed,” said the lawyer, with a flourish of his huge yellow silk pocket-handkerchief. “I give you my word of honour that it’s nothing less than a case of life and death.” The little low-browed side-door had been opened by this time, and Mr. Hoskyns went in, followed by Jabez Creede carrying the bag of papers. Creede had accompanied his employer to the gaol several times before, and his face was well known to the warders. “I can only ask that, under the circumstances, you will make your visit as short a one as possible; and I hope, with all my heart, that you will be able to extricate Mr. Dering from his difficulty.” “Jackson, you may take my word for it,” said Hoskyns, seriously, “that, before to-morrow night at this time, Mr. Dering will be a free man.” “I am heartily glad to hear it, sir, and I wish you a very good-night.” “Great heaven! Hoskyns, what has brought you here at this uncanny hour?” exclaimed Lionel, starting up from his pallet, on which he had thrown himself without undressing, as the lawyer and Creede were ushered into his cell and the door locked behind them. “I have got great tidings for you, Mr. Dering. Splendid tidings!” said Hoskyns, as he took the bag from Creede. “But sit down, sir, and don’t excite yourself, because I shall require your very best care and attention during the next few minutes.” Speaking thus, he took off his broad-brimmed hat and deposited it tenderly on Lionel’s bed; then he drew a chair up to the little deal table, motioned Lionel to take the opposite chair, and Creede to take the third and only remaining one. The latter gentleman, either from innate modesty, or because he was afraid that his breath might smell too strongly of rum, took care to plant himself a yard or two away from the table.