“Humph! we’ll tell the governor,” returned the warder, passing again through the entrance to the apartment, and closing the door gently after him, which he, however, locked with his usual caution—remembering at the time the clatter there had been about prisoner No. 43.
In a few minutes after this the deputy-governor and prison surgeon entered with the turnkey. The surgeon pronounced the prisoner dead.
The last offices were performed, and young Knoulton’s duties were over as far as the pirate was concerned. They thanked him for his attention, and he was conducted to a cell in another part of the prison.
This was about the most comfortable berth in the whole ship, to make use of the language of the dead pirate, and Knoulton had every possible indulgence it was possible to accord, consistent with the rules of the establishment.
It wanted only six weeks more to complete his term of imprisonment, and during that period he was chiefly engaged in the infirmary, but he could not forget the last words of Murdock, and he had a burning desire to test the truth of his statement as to the treasure which had lain hid for so many years.
CHAPTER CXXI.
MISS STANBRIDGE’S PEREGRINATIONS—HER VISIT TO CHARLES PEACE.
Laura Stanbridge succeeded in reaching London without attracting any attention or arousing the suspicions of any one. She walked on for miles until she was fairly worn out with excitement and fatigue; nevertheless she persevered, being at the time under the full impression that messengers would be despatched from the gaol in all directions for the purpose of recapturing her.
This was done, but as frequently occurs in cases of this sort, the messengers went in every possible direction but the right one.
Laura did not deem it advisable to continue for very long in any of the high roads. She went through bye-lanes and unfrequented footpaths, and thereby dodged her pursuers. When fairly worn out with fatigue, so that she could barely drag one leg after the other—to make use of a common saying—she bethought her of what she could do. To betake herself to a house of public entertainment would be running a great risk, as the chances were that these establishments would be the first places the police would visit.