The universal response was, that the fare was detestable, and that they wanted to be set free.
The inspector asked if they had anything else to ask for.

They shook their heads.

What could they desire beyond their liberty?
The inspector turned smilingly to the governor.
"I do not know what reason government can assign for these useless visits; when you see one prisoner, you see all,--always the same thing,--ill fed and innocent.

Are there any others ?" "Yes; the dangerous and mad prisoners are in the dungeons." "Let us visit them," said the inspector with an air of fatigue.

"We must play the farce to the end.