“Then why don’t you say the dark cells?  Has he been there long?”

Mr. Lepel answered the question.  “Ever since three o’clock, and it is nearly nine; and we are both of us to drink tea with Mr. Jones.”

Mr. Hawes showed no hurry.  “What did he want to go in them for?”

“I have no idea, unless it was to see what it is like.”

“Well, but I like that!” said Hawes.  “That is entering into the system.  Let us see how he comes on.”

Mr. Hawes, Mr. Lepel and Hodges went to the dark cells; on their way they were joined by Evans.

The governor took out his own keys, and Evans having indicated the cell, for there were three, he unlocked it and threw the door wide open.  They all looked in, but there was nothing to be seen.

“I hope nothing is the matter,” said Mr. Lepel, in considerable agitation, and he groped his way into the cave.  As he put out his hand it was taken almost violently by the self-immured, who cried: 

“Oh, Lepel!” and held him in a strong but tremulous grasp.  Then, after a pause, he said more calmly:  “The light dazzles me! the place seems on fire now!  Perhaps you will be kind enough to lend me your arm, Lepel.”

Mr. Lepel led him out; he had one hand before his eyes, which he gradually withdrew while speaking.  He found himself in the middle of a group with a sly sneer on their faces mixed with some curiosity.

“How long have I been there?” asked he quietly.

“Six hours; it is nine o’clock.”

“Only six hours! incredible!”

“Well, sir, I suppose you are not sorry to be out?”

“This is Mr. Hawes, the governor,” put in Mr. Lepel.

Hawes continued jocosely, “What does it feel like, sir?”

“I shall have the honor of telling you that in private, Mr. Hawes.  I think, Lepel, we have an engagement with Mr. Jones at nine o’clock.”  So saying, the new chaplain, with a bow to the governor, took his friend’s arm and went to tea with Mr. Jones.

“There, now,” said Hawes to the turnkeys, “that is a gentleman.  He doesn’t blurt everything out before you fellows; he reserves it for his superior officer.”

Next morning the new chaplain requested Mr. Lepel to visit the prisoner’s cells in a certain order, and make notes of their characters as far as he could guess them.  He himself visited them in another order and made his notes.  In the evening they compared these.  We must be content with an extract or two.

MR. LEPEL’S.  THE NEW CHAPLAIN’S.