'
'Is there no way of helping you?' said the governor.
'None, Mr Akerman. You'll do your duty, and I'll do mine. Once again,
you robbers and cut-throats,' said the locksmith, turning round upon
them, 'I refuse. Ah! Howl till you're hoarse. I refuse.'
'Stay--stay!' said the jailer, hastily. 'Mr Varden, I know you for
a worthy man, and one who would do no unlawful act except upon
compulsion--'
'Upon compulsion, sir,' interposed the locksmith, who felt that the tone
in which this was said, conveyed the speaker's impression that he had
ample excuse for yielding to the furious multitude who beset and hemmed
him in, on every side, and among whom he stood, an old man, quite alone;
'upon compulsion, sir, I'll do nothing.'
'Where is that man,' said the keeper, anxiously, 'who spoke to me just
now?'
'Here!' Hugh replied.
'Do you know what the guilt of murder is, and that by keeping that
honest tradesman at your side you endanger his life!'
'We know it very well,' he answered, 'for what else did we bring him
here? Let's have our friends, master, and you shall have your friend. Is
that fair, lads?'
The mob replied to him with a loud Hurrah!
'You see how it is, sir?' cried Varden.
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