“When doth he come back?” inquired Sir Walter, somewhat disappointed.
“That know I not, Sir,” replied the lieutenant. “But he hath left a parcel aboard for your honour, and his bearings, no doubt, be therein set down.”
“We will aboard together, then,” said Sir Walter, “and see how we stand. But first, Master Halyard, an’ it suit with thy convenience, we’ll bear down on the town-gaol, and take in charge a prisoner I have there.”
The lieutenant, though he had no wish to be brought in contact with a landsman, such as the prisoner would most probably prove, readily acquiesced in his proposal; and Sir Walter set forward, at a leisurely pace, for the specified locality, followed by his servant and the mariners. On arriving at the gaol, he drew up his horse, and, resigning the rein to his servant, leaped to the ground, and inflicted a loud knock on the gaol-door.
Sir Walter was still knocking when the door was pulled open; and the gaoler, scowling like a thunder-cloud, presented himself in the doorway. Shedlock’s note, and, what he regarded as much, Sir Walter’s evident quality, seemed to propitiate his favour, and his countenance somewhat brightened as he invited the whole party to enter.
The prisoner was confined in an inner cell; and, therefore, it was necessary, before they could proceed thither, to procure a light. This, however, was speedily done, and the gaoler then led the way to the cell.
The door of the cell was low and narrow, and, consequently, they had to enter singly, bending their heads as they passed under the threshold. The gaoler entered first, and, stepping on one side, turned round to the door again, and held up the light to Sir Walter. Thus aided, Sir Walter distinguished the floor of the cell, and ventured to enter.
As he alighted on the hard floor, he took the light from the gaoler, and, holding it out before him, glanced round in quest of the prisoner. The latter, undisturbed by their visit, was sitting on a heap of straw, in the furthest corner; but, from the gloom that hung around, Sir Walter was a full moment before he could make him out. When he did distinguish him, he gave a sudden start.
“What! no! yes!” he exclaimed; “’tis my trusty friend, Hildebrand Clifford.”
And, dropping the light, he made a spring forward, and seized the prisoner by both his hands.