What's your opinion, Cap'n Sartoris?"

"Same here," said Sartoris, tapping his chest. "I'm with you, Pilot;
with you on every point."

"Theoretically, that is so," said the Judge, "but practically, how are
you going to assess bail for a man who is to be tried for his life? What
amount of money will guarantee his reappearance? Why, no sum, however
great."

The Judge shut his book with a snap, and set his mouth firmly as one who
had made up his mind.

"This young man," he continued, "whom I knew and respected as well as
you yourselves, has been accused of most serious crimes. He is said,
with the aid of other persons at present at large, to have murdered the
members of a gold-escort and to have stolen gold to the value of
something like twenty thousand pounds."

The two seamen stood attentively, with their eyes fixed earnestly on the
Judge, whilst Rose covered her face with her hands.

"Besides which,"--the Judge had now regained his judicial composure,
and his words flowed smoothly, as though he were on the bench--"we must
remember that the accused is reputed to be a wealthy man. Supposing him
to have augmented his means by murder and malpractice, what would ten,
twenty or even thirty thousand pounds be to him in comparison with
his life? That is the question. There can be no guarantee of his
reappearance. Bail is impossible. But I will do this: I will extend you
the privilege--seeing your affection for this man, who, for your sakes
as well as his own, I hope may be acquitted--I will allow you leave to
visit him on certain days, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 noon, and
I will write an order to that effect."

He looked at Jack's sympathisers, who remained dumb. Dipping his pen in
the ink, he asked them their names in full, and wrote.

Handing each of them an order, he said, "You will present those to the
gaoler when you desire to visit your friend. I may say that I very much
admire the strong affection which you have shown towards one who is
under such a serious charge as that made against the prisoner, John
Scarlett. I wish you good morning."

So saying, he rose from his chair, and, when they had gathered up their
money, ushered them out of the room.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

In Durance Vile.

With a basket on her arm, Rose Summerhayes issued from the
creeper-covered verandah of the many-gabled house, and stood in her
garden of roses.

It was the time of the autumn blooms. With a pair of garden sciss