The guard glanced past the doctor, saw the shrinking group behind
him and gruffly announced, "This is not the hour for visitors."

"I want to see Mr. Cowan," repeated the doctor slowly, looking
the guard steadily in the eye. "Is he in?"

"Come in," said the guard sullenly, allowing the doctor and
his friend to enter, and shutting the door in the faces of
the Galicians.

In a few moments Mr. Cowan appeared, a tall athletic man, kindly of
face and of manner. He greeted Mrs. French and the doctor warmly.

"Come into the office," he said; "come in."

"Mr. Cowan," said Mrs. French, "there is a poor Galician woman and
her children outside the door, the wife and children of the man who
was condemned yesterday. The Judge told them they could see the
prisoner to-day."

"The hour for visitors," said Mr. Cowan, "is three in the afternoon."

"Could you not let her in now? She has already waited for hours at
the door this morning, and on being refused went home broken-hearted.
She does not understand our ways and is very timid. I wish you could
let her in now while I am here."

Mr. Cowan hesitated. "I should greatly like to oblige you,
Mrs. French. You know that. Sit down, and I will see. Let that
woman and her children in," he said to the guard.