As for the big group in the middle, not a soul was left there except Chaucer and William Caxton, who had taken possession of the two easiest chairs, and were deep in a game of chess.
As I picked myself slowly up off the floor, I became aware of the gleam of a lantern approaching me, and heard a footstep coming down the hall.
It was too dark to see who it was till he was close up; then, with a gasp, I recognised Marwood, the hangman! "Oh," said he pleasantly, "you're the young party, are you?
Come, cheer up.

You've got to be tried first.

The fact is, they couldn't find the regular police, and asked me to step up for you.

Come, my lad," said he, proceeding to pinion me with the cord in his hand, "this will brace you up wonderfully.

You may depend on me to do the job neatly.