"No. We doubted the gaoler's honesty, and, fearing he was bought over
by our enemy, adopted this ruse."

"To see me?"

"Yes."

"Ha, ha! I see it all now; very ingenious on your part. Well, well, my
young friend, I will see the governor at once, and you shall not be
long in trouble."

"You will earn my eternal gratitude, and that of my fellow-prisoners,
as well as the much more substantial acknowledgment of my father."

"_Bien, bien_," said the surgeon smiling. "_Au revoir!_"

And bowing pleasantly to the prisoners generally, the doctor left the
cell.

* * * *

"There," said Jack. "You may look upon that as settled, so comfort
yourselves."

"He has gone to the governor?" asked Mole.

"Yes."

"Hurrah!"

"I hope it will go all right now," said Harry Girdwood, who was
scarcely so cheerful as his companions.

"You wretched old wet blanket!" exclaimed Jack, gaily, "of course it
will."

"Of course," added Mole.

"You may consider yourself as good as outside the prison already."

"I do, for one," said Mole, quite hilarious at the prospect.

"Humph!" said Harry.

CHAPTER XCVII.

THE DOCTOR AND THE GOVERNOR--HOW THE PLOT WORKS IN FAVOUR OF JACK'S
ENEMIES--UNLUCKY PRISONERS!

"_Sapristi!_"

Thus spake the governor of the prison.

The occasion was within a few minutes of the doctor's entrance into his
private cabinet, to which the medico had gone immediately after
quitting the English-prisoners.

"_Sapristi!_"

"Well, what they say is very easily verified," said the doctor, rather
tartly.

The fact is that he was somewhat nettled at the doubting expression
with which the governor met his account of his interview with Jack
Harkaway and his fellow prisoners.

"My dear Doctor Berteaux," returned the governor, with the most
irritating smile, "this youth is a notorious young scoundrel. Just see
how clever he must be, too; he has actually imposed upon the astute
Doctor Berteaux, who has such a vast experience amongst criminals."

"But, sir----"

"I tell you, doctor, I know all about this young scoundrel from A to Z.
His real name is Herbert Murray."

"Why, that he said was the real name of the agent Markby," exclaimed
the doctor.

"The deuce he did. Egad! doctor, that's beautiful."

And the governor chuckled rarely at the idea.

The doctor began to look a little uncomfortable.

"Do you mean to say----"

"That you have been egregiously