“Only shamming, sir,” said Fry. “Bucket, Hodges.”
The bucket was brought and the contents were flung over Robinson.
The chaplain gave a cry of dismay. The turnkeys both laughed at this.
“You see he was only shamming, sir,” said Hodges. “He is come to the moment the water touched him.”
“A plain proof he was not shamming. A bucket of water thrown over any one about to faint would always bring them to; but if a man had made up his mind to sham, he could do it in spite of water. Of course you will take him down now?”
“Not till fresh orders.”
“On your peril be it if any harm befalls this prisoner—you are warned.”
At this juncture Hawes came into the yard. His cheek was flushed and his eye glittered. He expected and rather hoped a collision with his reverence.
“Well, what is the matter?”
“Nothing, sir; only his reverence is threatening us.”