This request was, of course, immediately granted, and, at an early hour, Ned and Bob Bertram entered the prison cell wherein Jack and Bates were chained and manacled.
“I have sent for you, Ned Warbeck, to say a few words before I die.”
“Then unburden your conscience, Jack,” said Ned, “and, in order that what you say may be made public hereafter, I have brought a quick writer with me, who will put down on paper all you say.”
“I have no objection in the world,” said Jack.
“Nor I,” said Bates, in a surly tone.
“Then let me, in the first place ask, why did you arrest young Bolton, old Redgill’s travelling collector for?”
“So as to screen Phillip Redgill, who gave me several thousand pounds to shift the guilt from his own shoulders to that of some one else.”
“Oh, the villain!” said Bob.
“But why did you still screen him when you knew that he had dealings with Death-wing and his villanous Skeleton Crew?”
“Because I knew if I arrested him, he might give evidence against me in turn; for I know, and have long known, that Colonel Blood was only waiting an opportunity to hang me—before my time,” said Jack, laughing.