Crosby had eaten little in the last twenty-four hours, and was silent
for some time.
"Thirty-eight is something, but it's a drop in the ocean," he said
presently. "I wish I could open the prison doors in Dorchester before
the assizes commence. There'll be murder enough done there in a few
days, Golding."
"That is beyond your power, Master Gilbert," and the old man said it as
if he feared his master would make the attempt.
"Yes, I am powerless. I wonder what became of that girl, Golding."
"Do you mean Harriet Payne?"
"I had forgotten her name for the moment," said Crosby. "When I came to
Dorchester after they had arrested you, I found out where you were, but
I could hear nothing about her. I would give a great deal to set her
free."
"Yes, Master Gilbert."
"It is frightful for a woman to be in the clutches of these devils, and
when that fiend Jeffreys comes to Dorchester, God help the women he
judges! I wonder what has become of the girl."
"She may have been released."
"Why should they release her when they would think it was within her
power to betray me?"
Golding shrugged his shoulders. "It was only a suggestion," he said.
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