The three that remained were now in deep conversation in the shelter of the recess.

Of these, the giant--who had the previous night asserted his authority in the prison--seemed to be the chief.

His name was Gabbett.

He was a returned convict, now on his way to undergo a second sentence for burglary.

The other two were a man named Sanders, known as the "Moocher", and Jemmy Vetch, the Crow.