Arrived at the gates of the Tower, they found the wicket, to their surprise, open, and a good deal of confusion under the archway of the gate-house. Some twelve or fourteen men were collected; a buzz of tongues was going on; and some loud and angry words were being spoken. The lieutenant-governor himself, in a silk dressing-gown, was present, with a man beside him, holding a lantern; and just as the messenger passed the wicket, still holding the prisoner fast by the arm, they heard that officer exclaim--
"Shut the gate, shut the gate! Every one keep silence! If you can be discreet, no harm may come of this. If not, some of your necks may pay for it.--Ha! who have we here?"
"An escaped prisoner, Mr. Lieutenant," answered the messenger, who was willing to take all possible credit to himself. "I am sharp enough; and I got information of this fine plot."
The lieutenant-governor stared at him coldly, with no great appearance of satisfaction in his countenance.
"Pray, Mr. Messenger," he said, after a moment's thought, "had you any warrant for what you have done?"
The man looked aghast at the question, but replied, in a somewhat insolent tone--
"I needed no warrant to apprehend a convicted traitor whom you have suffered one way or another to slip out of the Tower."
The lieutenant still gazed at him with a frowning brow and teeth tight shut, and then said--
"You may have to prove, Mr. Messenger, that you possess such a justification of your conduct. I tell you, you have not."
Then, turning to one of the warders, he said, in a sharp tone--