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of suffocation. The old man said, vindictively--
"Let him bless God an' he fare no worse. An' _I_ had the handling o' the
villain he should roast, or I am no true man!"
The jailer laughed a pleasant hyena laugh, and said--
"
Give him a piece of thy mind, old man--they all do it. Thou'lt find it
good diversion."
Then he sauntered toward his ante-room and disappeared. The old man
dropped upon his knees and whispered--
"
God be thanked, thou'rt come again, my master! I believed thou wert
dead these seven years, and lo, here thou art alive! I knew thee the
moment I saw thee; and main hard work it was to keep a stony countenance
and seem to see none here but tuppenny knaves and rubbish o' the streets.
I am old and poor, Sir Miles; but say the word and I will go forth and
proclaim the truth though I be strangled for it."
"No," said Hendon; "thou shalt not. It would ruin thee, and yet help but
little in my cause. But I thank thee, for thou hast given me back
somewhat of my lost faith in my kind."
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