“I know it, sir,” said Giles, springing out of his hammock, and muddling on his clothes, “but I doan’t feel at all well, and ha’ had very little sleep all night.”
“Oh, that I can readily believe,” observed the governor, in a tone of sarcasm. “Not well—eh? Perhaps you are over-fatigued.”
Chudley was greatly alarmed at this last observation.
“Eh, do you hear, my man?” inquired the governor.
“I don’t see how that can be. I aint had nuffin’ to tire me,” returned Giles.
“Haven’t you? Well, there may be other reasons.”
At a signal from their chief the two turnkeys proceeded to search the bed-clothes with great care. They also searched the clothes the prisoner had on, and those lying on his stool (for he was but partially dressed).
They found nothing, however, to excite their suspicions.
The governor was evidently disappointed.
“No instrument or weapon of any sort,” he murmured.