The pickpocket said no more, much to Peace’s relief, for the few chance observations he had already made naturally enough attracted the attention of most persons to our hero.
Presently a batch of persons emerged from a side door of the prison, and entered the yard.
They were detectives and warders from other prisons, and had come to take stock, and see if they could spot any “old friends.”
Peace walked round and round without appearing to be aware of the presence of the newcomers, but he was most anxious, nevertheless.
As he passed along and came within full view of them, he did not recognise any face that was known to him in the group, and hoped, therefore, that it was all right as far as that day was concerned. Nevertheless, several recognitions did take place, for one man was called to the corner of the yard to undergo a closer scrutiny, while one of the prison officials compared a photograph he drew from his pocket with the features of the man in question, and there was no denying the “soft impeachment.”
No. 80.
VISITING DAY AT NEWGATE—PEACE’S INTERVIEW WITH HIS WIFE.
The gentleman was known as an “old lag.” The acquaintances thus claimed are seldom cordially reciprocated, and in more than one instance Piper at the present moment was found to be identical with Jenkins, of Coldbath-fields, or White, of Holloway. Peace expected his turn to come.
It would, indeed, have been a sore trial if the visitors to the gaol discovered that Mr. Ward, of Blackheath, or Mr. Thompson, of Peckham, was identical with Mr. Charles Peace, of Sheffield; this is what he most dreaded, but it so chanced that on this day none of his friends, either in the “force” or in gaol were present at Newgate. So much the better for him—he had a respite for a while.