“I'll have one cigar, mother, before I join you in the drawing-room,” said he, taking it out as he spoke. “I'd not have indulged if you had not left me. May I order a little more sherry?” “Ring for whatever you want,” said she, coldly, and quitted the room. CHAPTER XIII. THE VISIT TO THE JAIL. Colonel Sewell was well known in the city, and when he presented himself at the jail, was received by the deputy-governor with all fitting courtesy. “Your house is pretty full, I believe, Mr. Bland,” said Sewell, jocularly. “Yes, sir; I never remember to have had so many prisoners in charge; and the Mountjoy Prison has sent off two drafts this morning to England, to make room for the new committals. The order is all right, sir,” said he, looking at the paper Sewell extended towards him. “The governor has given him a small room in his own house. It would have been hard to put him with the others, who are so inferior to him.” “A man of station and rank, then?” asked Sewell. “So they say, sir.” “And his name?” “You must excuse me, Colonel. It is a case for great caution; and we have been strictly enjoined not to let his name get abroad at present. Mr. Spencer's note--for he wrote to us last night--said, 'If it should turn out that Colonel Sewell is acquainted with the prisoner, as he opines, you will repeat the caution I already impressed upon him, not to divulge his name.' The fact is, sir,” said he, lowering his voice to a confidential tone, “I may venture to tell you that his diary contains so many names of men in high position, that it is all-important we should proceed with great secrecy, for we find persons involved whom nobody could possibly have suspected could be engaged in such a scheme.” “It is not easy to believe men could be such asses,” said Sewell, contemptuously. “Is this gentleman Irish?” “Not at liberty to say, sir. My orders are peremptory on the subject of his personality.” “You are a miracle of discretion, Mr. Bland.” “Charmed to hear you say so, Colonel Se well. There 's no one whose good word I 'd be more proud of.” “And why is n't he bailed?” said Sewell, returning to the charge. “Had he no one to be his surety?” “That 's strange enough, sir. Mr. Spencer put it to him that he 'd better have some legal adviser; and though he would n't go so far as to say they 'd take bail for him, he hinted that probably he would like to confer with some friend, and all the answer he got was, 'It's all a mistake from beginning to end. I 'm not the man you 're looking for; but if it gives the poor devil time to make his escape, perhaps he'll live to learn better; and so I'm at your orders.'” “I suppose that pretext did not impose upon the magistrate?”