“Send him along,” he said.  And the boy came in, much dismayed but still faithful to his trust.

“Please, sir,” said the youth, “I would know if ye have John Law, Esquire, in this place; and if so, I would see him.  Master said I was not to bring back this parcel till that I had seen John Law, Esquire, and got from him fifty sovereigns.  ’Tis for his wedding, sir, and the clothes are of the finest.”

The jailer smiled grimly.  “Mr. Law gets presents passing soon,” said he.  “Set down your box.  It might be weapons or the like.”

“Some clothes,” said the apprentice.  “Some very fine clothes.  They are of our best.”

“Ha! ha!” roared the jailer.  “Here indeed be a pretty jest.  Much need he’ll have of fine clothes here.  He’ll soon take his coat off the rack like the rest, and happen it fits him, very well.  Take back your box, boy—­or stay, let’s have a look in’t.”

The jailer was a man not devoid of wisdom.  Fine clothes sometimes went with a long purse, and a long purge might do wonders to help the comfort of any prisoner in London, as well as the comfort of his keeper.  Truly his eyes opened wide as he saw the contents of the box.  He felt the lapel of the coat, passing it approvingly between his thumb and finger.  “Well, e’en set ye down the box, lad,” said he, “and wait till I see where Mr. Law has gone.  Hum, hum!  What saith the record?  Charged that said prisoner did kill—­hum, hum!  Taken of said John Law six sovereigns, three shillings and sixpence.  Item, one snuff-box, gilt.  Hour of admission, five o’clock of the afternoon.  We shall see, we shall see.”

“Sir,” said the jailer, approaching the prisoner and his brother, who both remained in the detention room, “a lad hath arrived bearing a parcel for John Law, Esquire.  ’Tis not within possibility that you have these goods, but we would know what disposition we shall make of them.”

“By my faith!” cried Law, “I had entirely forgot my haberdasher.”

The jailer stood on one foot and gave a cough, unnecessarily loud but sufficiently significant.  It was enough for the quick wit of Law.

“There was fifty sovereigns on the charge list,” said the jailer.

“Sixty sovereigns, I heard you say distinctly,” replied Law.  “Will, give me thy purse, man!”

Will Law obeyed automatically.

“There,” said John Law to the jailer.  “I am sure the garments will be very proper.  Is it not all very proper?”

The turnkey looked calmly into the face of his prisoner and as calmly replied:  “It is, sir, as you say, very proper.”

“It would be much relief,” said John Law, as the turnkey again appeared, bearing the box in his own hands, “if I might don my new garments.  I would liefer make a good showing for thy house, friend, and can not, in this garb.”