‘I understand. My husband asked me to come and see you – to see what I thought of you – before he makes his decision.’

‘What d’you mean?’

‘Mr Gunson has been asked to mentor you. Do you know what that means?’

Silas shook his head. ‘Is it better’n jail?’

She laughed a little, in a nice way, and he found himself warming to her. ‘Much better, yes. At least, I hope you would find it so. Your friend made a persuasive case for your release.’

His heart thudded. ‘My release? What friend? Louisa?’

‘Be still and I’ll explain. A young lady called Harriet Wragg.’

‘Harriet!’

‘Yes. She visited one of the town judges to explain the events that transpired at her uncle’s residence. It’s been suggested you should come to stay with us and be set to work. You have been treated unfairly, it seems. I wouldn’t presume to take the place of your mother, but I have raised three boys, so I do have some experience in that regard.’ She held up her hand, as if to forestall any argument, when Silas jumped to his feet and began pacing the cell. ‘I understand you are not a child, but you are not a man yet, and hot-headed youth might benefit from some advice intended most kindly.’

‘Harriet? She’s helpin’ me, then? Has tha seen her? Will I…’

‘Calm down, Silas. You are like a caged lion at the zoo.’

He stopped in his tracks. ‘What’s this judge like? Is he really takin’ her word for it, o’er Walter and that other one, tellin’ their lies? That Boothby fella has it in for me. I’ve never done owt to ’im.’

An amused voice startled them both.

‘I hear the judge is a fair man, and perhaps a bane in the lives of some.’

A man stepped into the cell, the starched high collar of his shirt only emphasising his short stature. His beady eyes were penetrating, but he smiled genially enough at Silas.

‘How do you do, I’m the presiding judge in your case. You must be Silas.’ He bowed to Mrs Gunson. ‘Good afternoon.’

‘Good afternoon, Mr Webster.’

‘I see you have already met our troubled young man.’

Silas opened his mouth to protest, thought better of it and closed it again.

‘I am sorry for your plight,’ the judge said. ‘I think I may have a solution for you that might avoid the Assizes court entirely. The young woman who came to visit me on your behalf presented your case very forcefully. I think she may have saved you.’

‘Again,’ said Silas.

‘Again, Silas?’ said Mrs Gunson.

‘Harriet already saved me once, from the flood.’ He found his legs could no longer support him, and Silas sat on the bed, and wrapped his arms around himself.

‘I was the coroner for the inquest into the flood. You’ve probably read all about that farrago in the newspaper.’

‘No. I ’eard enough about it in the King’s Arms, though.’