Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/81

Rh mind as to what the sound was. It was the sound of voices. Unless his sense of hearing played him false the speakers were two.

"Which is Solly's cell?"

The governor put the question in a whisper. In a whisper the officer replied—

"Number thirteen—right the other end, sir. That's where they're talking—he and the woman. Come along with me, sir, and we shall catch them at it."

The governor checked the impulsive Slater.

"Darken your lantern. You have your keys? When we reach the door keep perfectly still until I give you the order. Then unlock the door and throw the light of your lantern into Solly's cell."

Warder Slater darkened his lantern. In the pitchy blackness the governor and the warder stole along the corridor. They were guided by the sense of sound. Guided by that sense, they paused at the spot where the talking seemed to be most audible. "Is this the cell?"

The governor's voice seemed scarcely to penetrate the darkness. The warder's "Yes" was but an echo. The silence was profound, except on the other side the door on the outer side of which they two were standing.

There was someone talking in the cell. The speakers seemed to be two. An attentive ear could catch the words which were being spoken.

"I could not rest unless you knew, and so I came to tell you, so that there might be an end to your suspense, and that you might not need to wait until the morning for the news."