“Well, that is a high quality and none too common.”

“He is one of those men to whom veracity is natural.  He would hardly know how to tell a falsehood.  They fly about him in this place like hailstones, but I never saw one come from him.”

“Stay! does he side with you or with Mr. Hawes in this unfortunate difference?”

“With me!” cried Mr. Hawes eagerly.  Mr. Eden bowed assent.  “Hum!”

“This honest Nero is zealous according to his light; he has kept a strict record of the acts and events of the jail for four years past; i.e., rather more than two years of Captain O’Connor’s jailership, and somewhat less than two years of the present jailer.  Such a journal, rigorously kept out of pure love of truth by such a man is invaluable.  There no facts are likely to be suppressed or colored, since the record was never intended for any eye but his own.  I am sure Mr. Fry will gratify you with a sight of this journal.  Oblige me, Mr. Fry!”

“Certainly, sir! certainly!” replied Fry, swelling with importance and gratified surprise.

“Bring it me at once, if you please.”  Fry went with alacrity for his journal.

“Mr. Lacy,” said Mr. Eden, with a slight touch of reproach, “you can read not faces only but complexions.  You read in my yellow face and sunken eye—­prejudice; what do you read here?” and he wheeled like lightning and pointed to Mr. Hawes, whose face and very lips were then seen to be the color of ashes.  The poor wretch tried to recover composure, and retort defiance; but the effort came too late.  His face had been seen, and once seen that look of terror, anguish and hatred was never to be forgotten.

“What is the matter, Mr. Hawes?”

“W—­W—­When I think of my long services, and the satisfaction I have given to my superiors—­and now my turnkey’s journal to be taken and believed against mine.”

(Chorus of Justices.) “It is a shame!”

Mr. Eden (very sharply).  “Against yours? what makes him think it will be against his?  The man is his admirer, and an honest man.  What injustice has he to dread from such a source?”

Mr. Lacy.  “I really cannot understand your objection to a man’s evidence whose bias lies your way; and I must say, it speaks well for Mr. Eden that he has proposed this man in evidence.”

At this juncture the magistrates, after a short consultation, informed Mr. Lacy that they had business of more importance to transact, and could give no more time to what appeared to them an idle and useless inquiry.

“At all events, gentlemen,” replied Mr. Lacy, “I trust you will not leave the jail.  I am not here to judge Mr. Hawes, but to see whether Mr. Eden’s demand for a formal inquiry into his acts ought to be granted or refused.  Now unless the evidence takes some new turn I incline to think I must favor the inquiry; that is to say, should the chaplain persist in demanding it.”