“No, suh—no, suh—I ain’ defendin’ it. I jest tellin’ you.” He unlocked the door.
“Walk in,” said Steve, and, pushing the other ahead, he stepped in behind him and took his light. It was so dark that he could not at first make out anything inside; but after a moment a yet darker spot in the general gloom became dimly discernible.
“Rupert?” Steve called. At the voice the dark shadow stirred. “Rupert Gray?”
There was a cry from the dark corner.
“Steve! Oh, Steve! Steve!”
“Come here,” said Steve, who was keeping close beside the jailer.
“I can’t. Oh, Steve!”
“Why not?—Over there!” he said, with emotion to the jailer, to walk before him.
“I’m chained.”
“What!” The young man turned and caught the jailer by the shoulder, and with a single twist of his powerful arm sent him before him spinning into the corner of the room. Stooping, Steve felt the boy and the chain by which he was bound to a great ring in the wall. The next second he faced the keeper.