Caleb Williams

Caleb tries to plead with the man who was left in charge of him. Caleb argues that the men are extorting him by threatening him with jail even though they know he is innocent. The man takes pity on him and tells Caleb that “he had always felt an abhorrence to the sort of people who had [him] in their hands” (344). After staring at him for a while, the man asks Caleb his name. When Caleb reveals it, the man recognizes Caleb as a wanted man and calls him a wretch (345). Once he has calmed down, he tells Caleb that he does not know the details and still feels Caleb is guilty; however, since Caleb was honest and revealed his identity, he will not turn Caleb in (though he also will not help him).

When the other men come back, Caleb decides to give in to their demands for money, though he negotiates them down to 11 guineas; Caleb remarks on the irony that they arrested him believing they would receive 100 guineas, yet they accepted the 11 he offered (347). The men hold up their end and agree to let Caleb go a bit outside of town.