“The Governor? Won’t nobody less do? You can’t see him without proper appointment. But maybe a smaller man might serve your turn?”
Will reflected, then laughed at the warder with that sudden magic of face that even softened hard hearts towards him.
“To be plain, mate, I’m here to stop. You’ll be sure to knaw ’bout it sooner or late, so I’ll tell ’e now. I’ve done a thing I must pay for, and ’t is a clink job, so I’ve comed right along.”
The warder grew rather sterner, and his eye instinctively roamed for a constable.
“Best say no more, then. Awnly you’ve comed to the wrong place. Police station’s what you want, I reckon.”
“Why for? This be County Gaol, ban’t it?”
“Ess, that’s so; but we doan’t take in folks for the axin’. Tu many queer caraters about.”
Will saw the man’s eyes twinkle, yet he was puzzled at this unexpected problem.
“Look here,” he said, “I like you, and I’ll deal fair by you an’ tell you the rights of it. Step out here an’ listen.”
“Mind, what you sez will be used against you, then.”