Lord of the Sea
Page 14
XIV
THE PRIEST
A year passed, during which John Loveday exhausted the resources ofcivilization, (1)in seeking Margaret, and (2)in investigating theinnocence of Richard.
He had, however, a sprightly, adventurous nerve in the mind, and wouldpull his velvet sleeves busily up--such was his little way. He began toplot.
About the same time the ex-priest, in that far-off world of Colmoor,said one day to Hogarth: "_You_ won't be here long!"
"You jest," Hogarth answered; "if I had the chance of escape, I shouldnever take it. I am here by due legal process".
"Tut, if I say that you will escape, it is not because I am a prophet,but a man of the world, and know what happens in it".
Converse with this deep, world-wise, and fluent man had now become toHogarth like manna, or rather a vice, like opium: for in those grey eyesof the cleric was hinted anon the baleful glint of the cobra's.
That day, a Saturday, outdoor gangs were recalled early, to "clean up"for Sunday, and out across the heath rang the great bell, Colmoor beingfamous for its bell, its tone and great size, larger than even theeight-ton "Mighty Tom" of Christ Church, for though its thickness wasonly six inches, it weighed, bell and clapper, ten tons, and was sevenfeet high and seven in diameter.
A busy Saturday afternoon ensued, and whatsoever Hogarth's hand found todo he did it with his might, though his face now seemed all eyes--brown,bloodshot, imperially large, morbidly staring.
He was giving the finishing touches of order to his wooden spoon andsalt-cellar, his tin knife, plate, and pint cup for gruel, when a WarderJennings peeped in with, "No. 76--you are to follow the assistant warderat once", and Hogarth descended to an ante-room where an officialhanded him a letter, which had been read and initialed by governor andchaplain.
An event!--a letter in Colmoor, like a shark's fin on the voyages of oldsailing ships.
It was from Loveday, and concluded with a reference to Hogarth's "poorold grandmother".
So Hogarth, who had no "grandmother", propped his forehead to ponderthat thing; and presently said: "Oh, it is a cypher".
And by noting little peculiarities in the shapes of the letters,a double cross to a t, a q like a g, etc., he soon had"flemecops-leftquary"--which he took to mean: "flee to me in the copseto the left of the quarry".
He smiled with tenderness at the dear heart planning and daring sovery much for him. But in his smile was a touch of disdain also, he notintending to "flee".