'Turn to the left and up the stairs.' [Illustration: 'Top floor, if you please,' said the gaoler politely.] The stairs were dark and went on and on, and round and round, and up and up.

At the very top was a big room, simply furnished with a table, chairs, and a rocking-horse.

Who wants more furniture than that?
'You've got the best view in the whole city,' said the gaoler, 'and you'll be company for me.

What?
They gave me the post of gaoler because it's nice, light, gentlemanly work, and leaves me time for my writing.
I'm a literary man, you know.

But I've sometimes found it a trifle lonely.