at this, when the
doctor startled them considerably by saying in broken (but
understandable) English--

"What he say--any thing I like? _Singulier!_"

"Ahem!"

Harry Girdwood gave the word; a glance of intelligence went round.

They, to use Jack's expression, pulled themselves together, and looked
serious.

"It is headache," said Jack. "Violent headache, he says."

"Yes," said Mole.

"Show your tongue."

Mole thrust it out, and then the doctor felt his pulse.

"Very bad; you have the fever."

"What?" ejaculated Mole, aghast.

"You have the fever."

"What sort?"

The surgeon looked puzzled.

"Typhus or scarlet, I should say," suggested Jack.

"What is that?" demanded the French doctor, curiously. "_Je ne suis
pas tres fort_--I am not very strong in English."

"Then, sir," said Jack, "pray accept my compliments upon your
proficiency; it is really very remarkable."

"You are very good to say that," returned the surgeon; "_mais_--now
for our _malade_--what is _malade_ in English?"

"Patient."

"Patient! Well, I hope that he will justify ze designation. What do you
feel?" he added to Mr. Mole.

"Rush of blood to the head," said Mole, thinking this quite a safe
symptom to announce.

"Yes, yes--_sans doute_--no doubt," said the doctor, looking as wise as
an owl. "We can make that better for you quick--a little _sinapisme_."

"That's what you call a mustard plaister, isn't it?" said Harry.

"_Sinapisme_--mustard who?" demanded the French doctor of Jack.

"Plaister."

"_Merci._"

"I'm not going to have any mustard plaister on," said Mole.

"_Comment!_" exclaimed the doctor; "_il n'en veut pas!_ he will not!
_Morbleu!_ Ze prisonniers have what ze docteur ordonnances."

"Will he?"

"Yes. You are quite right, doctor," said Jack, in French. "Where is he
to have on the plaister?"

"On his legs, at the back of his ankles," replied the doctor; "it is to
draw the blood from his head."

"Very good, sir."

Jack translated, and the patient singularly enough grew reassured
immediately.

"It won't hurt much on the back of your legs, Mr. Mole," said Harry.

They enjoyed a quiet grin to themselves at this.

The prison doctor then sent the gaoler for writing materials for the
purpose of writing out a prescription.

Then was their chance.

"Doctor," said Jack, "I want to see the governor."

"Why have you not asked, then, through the gaoler?"

"I prefer some other method."

"Why?"

"Beca