“There is many a slip
'Twixt the cup and the lip,”
said he to them, looking them calmly over, then sauntered toward the gate.
Mr. Hawes came creeping after and joined the injustices; every eye furtively watched the parson whom they had outwitted. Fry himself had gone to the lodge to let him out and keep him out. He was but a few steps from the door. Hawes chuckled; his heart beat with exultation. A nether moment and that huge barrier would be interposed forever between him and his enemy, the prisoners' friend.
“Open the door, Mr. Fry,” said the chaplain. Fry pulled it quickly open. “And let that gentleman in!”
A middle-aged gentleman was paying off his fly. The door being thus thrown open he walked quickly into the jail as if it belonged to him.
“Who is this?” inquired Mr. Williams sharply. The newcomer inquired as sharply, “The governor of this jail?”
Mr. Hawes stepped forward: “I am the governor.” The newcomer handed him his card and a note.
“Mr. Lacy from the Home Office,” said Mr. Hawes to the injustices. “These, sir, are the visiting justices.”
Mr. Lacy bowed, but addressed himself to Mr. Hawes only. “Grave charges have been made against you, sir. I am here to see whether matters are such as to call for a closer investigation.”
“May I ask, sir, who makes the charges against me?”