call, "Dear, black, old, smoky Lancashire." But in the
dead of the winter, and to a man with the shadow of the gallows resting
upon him, there can be no place in the world so little to be desired.
The black night of despair was resting upon Paul's heart. On the
morrow the great trial would commence, and although he thought he had
arranged everything perfectly, he could not help fearing the results.
And then, while his thoughts were at their blackest, he heard a voice
which thrilled his being and caused every nerve to quiver with delight.

"This is the one," he heard a warder say. And a minute later he was
alone with Mary Bolitho.

CHAPTER XVII

THE LOVERS

Had anyone told Mary Bolitho, even when her father consented for her to
accompany him to Lancashire, that she would have sought admission into
Paul's cell, she would have repudiated the idea. Even while she could
not help believing that there was some awful mistake, and that Paul was
utterly incapable of such a deed, she felt that there was nothing for
her to do. When she arrived in Lancashire, however, and the assizes
had commenced, she realised the terrible issues at stake. If Paul were
found guilty, he would be hanged. The thought was like a death-knell
in her heart, and all its grim horror possessed her. Day by day passed
away, and she could not shake it off. She pictured Paul lying in
Strangeways Gaol, waiting his trial, and realised something of the
loneliness and the terror which must have encompassed his life.

One day, while visiting a shop in Market Street, she heard some people
talking. "He's said no word, I suppose?" said one man.

"I've never heard of anything."

"A curious business, isn't it?"

"Ay, very curious. It don't seem right, somehow, that a man like Paul
Stepaside should do such a thing. Of course, the jury will have to go
upon evidence, and the evidence is all against him. I've heard as 'ow
he's refused to be defended."

"What'll that mean?"

"I don't know, but what I am thinking is, why should he take such a
step?"

"Perhaps he's guilty, and wants to get it over!"

"Ah, but what if he's wanting to shield someone? Anyhow, unless
something happens, he'll swing! My word, though, I wouldn't like to be
in his place! Fancy lying in yon Strangeways Gaol day after day! It's
not a cheerful place at any time. I've heard that when they're
condemned to die, they can hear the carpenters nailing the scaffold
together.