Though the two unhappy felons were made free of the spacious courtyard for an hour every day, the like privilege was not granted to Ralph, who was kept close prisoner, and, except on the morning of his trial, was even denied water for washing and cleansing.

When he was first to appear before the judges of assize, this prisoner of state, who had voluntarily surrendered himself, after many unsuccessful efforts at capturing him, was bound hand and foot.  On the hearing of his case being adjourned, he was taken back to the cell which he had previously shared; but whether he felt that the unhappy company was more than he could any longer support, or whether the foul atmosphere of the stinking room seemed the more noisome from the comparative respite of a crowded court, he determined to endure the place no longer.  He asked to be permitted to write to the governor of the city.  The request was not granted.  Then, hailing Sim from the street, he procured by his assistance a bundle of straw and a candle.  The straw, clean and sweet, he exchanged with his fellow-prisoners for that which had served them for beds.  Then, gathering the rotten stuff into a heap in the middle of the floor, he put a light to it and stirred it into a fire.  This was done partly to clear the foul atmosphere, which was so heavy and dank as to gather into beads of moisture on the walls, and partly to awaken the slugglish interest of the head gaoler, whose rooms, as Ralph had learned, were situated immediately above this cell.  The former part of the artifice failed (the filthy straw engendered as much stench as it dissipated), but the latter part of it succeeded effectually.  The smoke found its way where the reeking vapor which was natural to the cell could not penetrate.

Ralph was removed forthwith to the outer room.  But for the improvement in his lodgings he was punished indirectly.  Poor Sim had dislocated a bar of the window in pushing the straw into Ralph’s hands, and for this offence he was apprehended and charged with prison breaking.  Four days later the paltry subterfuge was abandoned, as we know, for a more serious indictment.  Ralph’s new abode was brighter and warmer than the old one, and had no other occupant.  Here he passed the second week of his confinement.  The stone walls of this cell had a melancholy interest.  They were carved over nearly every available inch with figures of men, birds, and animals, cut, no doubt, by the former prisoners to beguile the weary hours.

In these quarters life was at least tolerable; but tenancy of so habitable a place was not long to be Ralph’s portion.