reat crisis of their
lives, and went on his way. His worldly possessions were represented by
a new suit of blue serge which he wore, and a few trifles in a small
carpet-bag.

It was the past rather than the present or future which troubled Will on
his journey to Exeter; and the secret of the last six months, whatever
that might be, lay heavier on his mind than the ordeal immediately ahead
of him. In this coming achievement he saw no shame; it was merely part
payment for an action lawless but necessary. He prided himself always on
a great spirit of justice, and justice demanded that henceforth he must
consider the family into which he had thus unceremoniously introduced
himself. To no man in the wide world did he feel more kindly disposed
than to Miller Lyddon; and his purpose was now to save his father-in-law
all the annoyance possible.

Arrived at Exeter, Will walked cheerfully away to the County Gaol, a
huge red-brick pile that scarce strikes so coldly upon the eye of the
spectator as ordinary houses of detention. Grey and black echo the
significance of a prison, but warm red brick strikes through the eye to
the brain, and the colour inspires a genial train of ideas beyond
reason's power instantly to banish. But the walls, if ruddy, were high,
and the rows of small, remote windows, black as the eye-socket of a
skull, stretched away in dreary iron-bound perspective where the sides
of the main fabric rose upward to its chastened architectural
adornments. Young Blanchard grunted to himself, gripped his stick, from
one end of which was suspended his carpet-bag, and walked to the wicket
at the side of the prison's main entrance. He rang a bell that jangled
with tremendous echoes among the naked walls within; then there followed
the rattle of locks as the sidegate opened, and a warder looked out to
ask Will his business. The man was burly and of stout build, while his
fat, bearded face, red as the gaol walls themselves, attracted Blanchard
by its pleasant expression. Will's eyes brightened at the aspect of this
janitor; he touched his hat very civilly, wished the man "good
afternoon," and was about to step in when the other stopped him.

"Doan't be in such a hurry, my son. What's brought 'e, an' who do 'e
want?"

"My business is private, mister; I wants to see the head man."

"The Governor? Won't nobody less do? You can't see him without proper
appointment. But maybe a smaller man might serve your turn?"

Will reflec