But, as it happened, there was another man in the prison named Walters, who had been convicted of an assault upon his wife some time previously, and had been ill for many months of an internal complaint which was certain, sooner or later, to end fatally.
A sleepless night brought Lettice no ray of hope, and it was with a heavy and despairing heart that she went to the governor's residence next morning, and sent up to him the note which she had written before leaving her room.
Captain Haynes remembered her former visit, and being disengaged at the moment, he came down at once.
"My dear lady," he said, bustling into the room, "what is the meaning of this letter? What makes you talk of burying your friend? He has been in this tomb of stone long enough to purge him of all his offenses, and I am sure you don't want to bury him alive again!"
Lettice started to her feet, gazed at the speaker with straining eyes, and pressed her hands upon her tumultuous heart.
"Is—he—alive?" she gasped, in scarcely audible words.
"Of course he is alive! I told you when you were here before that he was out of danger. All he wants now is careful nursing and cheerful company; and I must say that you don't quite look as if you could give him either."
"Alive—alive! Thank God!"
A great wave of tenderness swept through her heart, and gushed from her eyes in tears that were eloquent of happiness.
"I was told that he was dead!" She looked at the governor with a smile which disarmed his bluff tongue.