He said, however, he had a little favor to ask.
"I have been," said he, "of late much agitated and fatigued, and a sore trial awaits me in the morning. A few hours of unbroken sleep would be a boon to me."
"The turnkeys must come in to see you are all right."
"It is their duty; but I will lie in sight of the door if they will be good enough not to wake me."
"There can be no objection to that; Captain, and I am glad to see you calmer."
"Thank you; never calmer in my life."
He got his pillow, set two chairs, and composed himself to sleep. He put the candle on the table, that the turnkeys might peep through the door and see him.
Once or twice they peeped in very softly, and saw him sleeping in the full light of the candle, to moderate which, apparently, he had thrown a white handkerchief over his face.
At nine in the morning they brought him his breakfast, as he must be at Bow Street between ten and eleven.
When they came so near him, it struck them he lay too still.