So wild and white and stricken was this man's face that Evans, who was exchanging some words with a gentleman on the basement floor, happening to catch sight of it, interrupted himself and hallooed from below, “What, is there anything the matter, Hodges?” Hodges made no reply. The man seemed to have lost his speech for some time past.
“Let us go and see,” said the gentleman; and he ascended the steps somewhat feebly, accompanied by Evans.
“What is it, Hodges?”
“What is it?” answered the man impatiently. “Go in there and you'll see what it is!”
“I don't like this, sir,” said Evans. “Oh! I am fearful there is something unfortunate has happened. You mustn't come in, sir. You stay here, and I'll go in and see.” He entered the cell.
Meantime a short conference had passed between Hawes and Fry.
“This is a bad business, Fry.”
“And no mistake.”
“Had you any idea of this?”
“No! can't say I had.”