Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/68

44 was more than I could understand—but I saw it was a woman was sitting by his side, and she had her arms about his neck, and he had his arms about her waist" "Well?"

The monosyllable came from the governor. Warder Slater had paused.

"Well, sir, I just caught a glimpse of her, and she was gone—gone like a thing of air, before I had a chance to open my mouth. I don't mind owning that I didn't quite like it, at that time of night, and all; but I says to Solly, 'Who's that you had in here along with you?' And he says, 'It was my wife.' 'I shall report you,' I says, and I went outside."

"Did you hear any more talking?"

"No, sir, I did not, although I stopped outside some time and listened. And I came back half a dozen times, and each time I listened, but I never heard a sound."

The prisoner took up the tale.

"She came back once and kissed me, and whispered just one word. And after that I fell asleep, and slept until the morning."

The governor leant back in his chair. He seemed to be considering. He regarded the prisoner intently, the prisoner meeting his glance with perfect self-possession. At last he said—

"That will do. Take the man away." And Warder Slater and the prisoner departed.

As they went out Dr. Livermore came forward. The governor turned to him.

"Is that you, doctor? Have you heard that edify-