When Hector entered the cell, the gambler greeted him with a cry of joy.
"Here I am, Perkins," he said. "What do you want?"
Perkins looked abashed and his head dropped.
"Come along," said Hector, more kindly. "Speak out, man."
"P'raps I ain't entitled to it, Mr. Adair—but—but—I want to ask a favour—a favour of you."
"Go on," Hector encouraged him.
"The boys have been tellin' me about you, Mr. Adair. An' it appears you come from—from th' same part o' the world as I do."
"Where's that?'
"You're a Blenheim county man, ain't you?"
"Why, yes," replied Hector. "And you——?"