At this date, and for several years after, there was a hangman toalmost every jail. Gertrude found, on inquiry, that theCasterbridge official dwelt in a lonely cottage by a deep slow riverflowing under the cliff on which the prison buildings were situate--the stream being the self-same one, though she did not know it,which watered the Stickleford and Holmstoke meads lower down in itscourse.

　　Having changed her dress, and before she had eaten or drunk--for shecould not take her ease till she had ascertained some particulars--Gertrude pursued her way by a path along the water-side to thecottage indicated. Passing thus the outskirts of the jail, shediscerned on the level roof over the gateway three rectangular linesagainst the sky, where the specks had been moving in her distantview; she recognized what the erection was, and passed quickly on.

　　Another hundred yards brought her to the executioner's house, whicha boy pointed out It stood close to the same stream, and was hard bya weir, the waters of which emitted a steady roar.

　　While she stood hesitating the door opened, and an old man cameforth shading a candle with one hand. Locking the door on theoutside, he turned to a flight of wooden steps fixed against the endof the cottage, and began to ascend them, this being evidently thestaircase to his bedroom. Gertrude hastened forward, but by thetime she reached the foot of the ladder he was at the top. Shecalled to him loudly enough to be heard above the roar of the weir;he looked down and said, 'What d'ye want here?'

　　'To speak to you a minute.'

　　The candle-light, such as it was, fell upon her imploring, pale,upturned face, and Davies (as the hangman was called) backed downthe ladder. 'I was just going to bed,' he said; '"Early to bed andearly to rise," but I don't mind stopping a minute for such a one asyou. Come into house.' He reopened the door, and preceded her tothe room within.

　　The implements of his daily work, which was that of a jobbinggardener, stood in a corner, and seeing probably that she lookedrural, he said, 'If you want me to undertake country work I can'tcome, for I never leave Casterbridge for gentle nor simple--not I.

　　My real calling is officer of justice,' he added formally.

　　'Yes, yes! That's it. To-morrow!'

　　'Ah! I thought so. Well, what's the matter about that? 'Tis nouse to come here about the knot--folks do come continually, but Itell 'em one knot is as merciful as another if ye keep it under theear. Is the unfortunate man a relation; or, I should say, perhaps'

　　(looking at her dress) 'a person who's been in your employ?'

　　'No. What time is the execution?'

　　'The same as usual--twelve o'clock, or as soon after as the Londonmail-coach gets in. We always wait for that, in case of areprieve.'

　　'O--a reprieve--I hope not!' she said involuntarily............