I was turning away in disgust, when the other pair of villains drew near. I prepared for some volley of abuse and foul language, but was disappointed. They addressed me, it seemed in no spirit of hostility, but quite the contrary. They were lamb like. 'Sir,' said the Bishop, 'what was done by my friend the Captain and myself was done by orders of Mr. Merridew here. He said, "Do it, or swing." So we had no choice. Merridew gave us the orders and Probus invented the plot. "Do it or swing," was the word.' 'You shall swing, too,' the Thief taker turned upon him savagely, 'as soon as I get out. A pair of villains, not fit to live.' 'You won't hang anybody any more,' said the Captain, with defiance. 'Your own time's up at last, Merridew. Your own rope has come to an end.' 'Wait till I get out. Wait till I get out,' he roared. 'That won't be just yet, brother,' said the turnkey. 'Conspiracy's an ugly word, friend Merridew. There's imprisonment in it--and flogging, sometimes--and pillory. But make up your mind for a long stay and be comfortable.' 'Dick,' said Mr. Merridew. He knew every turnkey as well as most of the prisoners. It was said that he often had to go shares with the turnkeys. 'Dick, you know me, of old.' 'Ay--ay--We all know you.' 'We've worked together----' 'That is as may be. But go on.' 'Well, Dick, I am a sheriff's officer. I know all the rogues in London, don't I?' 'Why, certainly.' 'I know where to lay my hands upon every one. I know where they practise and what they do.' 'Correct,' said the turnkey. 'They don't dare to lock me up. Do they? Lock _me_ up?' he snorted. 'Why, if I am kept here long, all the villains will go free. London will no longer be safe. There won't be fifty hangings in a year. Who fills your gaols? John Merridew. Who fills your carts? John Merridew. You know that, Dick. Nobody knows better than you.' 'Correct,' said Dick. 'The judges can't send me to prison. They can't do it, I say. Why--of course--of course----' Again his voice sank to a whisper. I looked at the man with amazement. He was evidently seeking consolation by delusive assurances. At heart he was filled with terror. For beside the prison, there was the dread of pillory. They might be set in pillory. He knew, none better, that the thief-taker who is also the thief-maker, has not a single friend in the whole world. What would be done to him if he should stand in pillory? 'Let me get out as soon as possible,' he went on, appealing to me. 'Why, Sir, unless I go out the whole criminal procedure of this country will be thrown out of gear. I am the only man--the only man, Sir--ask Dick, here.' The turnkey shook his keys and nodded. 'But they'll give you a heavy sentence, my friend,' he said. 'The only man that can't be spared--the only man--the only man----' Again his voice dropped to a whisper. He turned away babbling and shaking his head, all the insolence gone out of him.