This, again, is an unnecessary piece of assumption on the part of the prison authorities when dealing with an unconvicted person—one, indeed, for aught they know, may be as innocent of the crime laid to his charge as they are themselves.
He had ample opportunity of contemplating the outside of the door, and seeing how the various mysterious appliances connected with it were worked.
Being of a mechanical and, in many respects, ingenious turn of mind, he was naturally interested.
He regarded with great curiosity the spy-hole over the trap-door, and was at no loss to comprehend how it was constructed.
It was evident enough that the inmate of the cell could not see any person on the outside, but it was equally clear that a watcher outside could command the entire range of the prisoner’s apartment.
A number of prisoners were assembled in the passage; Peace was told to join them.
Then the whole of the culprits were marched along the stone passage until they came to a large low-roofed hall.
From this they ascended a dark winding staircase, which led into the chapel.
Peace observed among the motley group the gipsy, Mr. Green, the cadaverous-looking gentleman who was about to give the history of his life in the lock-up, together with many others whose faces he recognised.
The last-named looked even more ghastly than ever.