The address had its effect, and the ruffians, in spite of the inclination exhibited by one or two to continue their sport, retired to the farther end of the room, where they sat down at the rickety table. One of them pulling out a greasy pack of cards, they commenced playing. "How did you manage to get yourself into this trouble?" asked old Sleech; "I thought you were too wise for that." "My wisdom will be shown in getting out of it," answered Silas. "I played a somewhat bold game, and might have made a false move or two, but it cannot be helped now. There will be no evidence brought against me, I am very sure of that Young Harry Tryon went aboard ship, you know that. Well, besides, he was on board the `Sandwich,' and Parker mixed him well up in the mutiny. He was seen with him at the dockyard at Sheerness. I learned all that from an acquaintance of mine--young Gilby. He saw him with his own eyes, so there's no doubt about it." "He may have been mistaken," observed old Sleech. "Not a bit of it," said his son, "he knows Harry almost as well as I do. He has met him scores of times, both at Mr. Coppinger's house and at some of the places which Harry used to frequent. Never fear, it is all right; I shall soon be out of this, and down at Stanmore to enjoy myself. I say, father, we shall want a little ready money to keep up the game. We must make the old trees fall right and left, and you know, at a pinch, you and I can sell a few dirty acres. In my opinion there is nothing like enjoying a thing when we have got it." The further conversation between the father and his estimable son need not be repeated. Silas had fallen considerably in his parent's estimation since he had so committed himself as to get into prison. He was, also, not quite so sanguine as his son was as to the result of the trial; but he performed a parent's part in securing the best counsel to be obtained. He also made interest with the governor to procure a better room and superior food for his son. Silas did not, however, exhibit the gratitude which might have been expected. "It would not do to let the heir of Stanmore dangle on a gibbet, eh, dad, would it?" he observed, when his father told him what he had done. "No chance of that, or I could not joke on the subject."