Mr. Williams overruled this.  “We can reprimand, or if need be the bench can dismiss a chaplain without troubling the Secretaries of State.  Let us make our report and then look into the chaplain’s conduct, who is, after all, a newcomer, and they say a little cracked; he is a man of learning.”

So they wrote their report, and in it expressed their conviction that the system on the whole worked admirably.  They noticed the incident of Josephs’ suicide, but attached no significance and little importance to it.  Out of a hundred and eighty prisoners there would be a few succumb in one way or another under the system, but on the whole the system worked well.

Jugger system’s wheels were well greased, and so long as they were well greased it did not matter their crushing one or two.  Besides the crushed were only prisoners—­the refuse of society.  They reported the governor, Mr. Hawes, as a painstaking, active, zealous officer; and now Mr. Hawes was called in—­the report was read to him—­and he bowed, laid his hand upon his aorta, and presented a histrionic picture of modest merit surprised by unexpected praise from a high quarter.

Next, Mr. Hawes was requested to see the report sent off to the post.

“I will, gentlemen;” and in five minutes he was at the post-office in person, and his praises on the way to his sovereign or her representative.

“How long will the parson take us?”

“Oh! not ten minutes.”

“I hope not, for I want to look at a horse.”

“We had better send for him at once, then.”

The bell was rung and the chaplain sent for.  The chaplain was praying the prayers for the sick by the side of a dying prisoner.  He sent back word how he was employed, and that he would come as soon as he had done.

This message was not well received.  Keep a living justice waiting for a dying dog!

“These puppies want taking down,” said Mr. Woodcock.

“Oh, leave him to me,” replied Mr. Williams.

Soon after this the following puppy came into the room.  A gentleman of commanding figure, erect but easy, with a head of remarkable symmetry and an eye like a stag’s.  He entered the room quietly but rather quickly, and with an air of business; bowed rapidly to the three gentlemen in turn, and waited in silence their commands.

Then Mr. Williams drew himself up in his chair, and wore the solemn and dignified appearance that becomes a judge trying a prisoner, with this difference, that his manner was not harsh or intentionally offensive, but just such as to reveal his vast superiority and irresistible weight.

In a solemn tone, with a touch of pity, he began thus: 

“I am sorry to say, Mr. Eden, that grave charges are laid against you in the prison.”

“Give yourself no uneasiness on my account, sir,” replied Mr. Eden politely, “they are perhaps false.”

“Yet they come from one who has means of knowing—­from the governor, Mr. Hawes.”