“I wish for the misery and misfortune of no man. You richly deserve your fate, and, as the laws of our land punish by hanging the crimes of which you have been proven guilty, I sincerely hope that you will not escape punishment, and yet it would be better to give you a life sentence to my mind, as something far more severe to bear than hanging.” “And you will not strain a point and keep me here, sir?” “No, and why do you dread to go to Illinois?” “I shall be taken there to be hanged, sir.” “And remaining here you will be much more quickly hanged.” “Still, I would prefer to remain here, sir, than to trust myself to the mercy of an Illinois court.” “They can do no more against you than I have done, Mr. Arden--condemn you to death.” “There is another thing I wish to speak to you about, Colonel Dunwoody.” “Well, sir?” “My sister.” “Ah!” “I wish to talk to you, sir, of Ruth.” “I am wholly at your service, Mr. Arden, and am glad that you spoke of your sister.” “You were kind to her when she was here, sir, and she appreciated it, as I also do. But I wish to disarm in your mind, Colonel Dunwoody, any thought that Ruth is in any way connected with my evil life.” “My dear, sir, I would no more connect that pure, angelic girl with such a devil as you have proven yourself to be than I would compare darkness and sunlight,” said the colonel, suddenly losing his urbane manner and becoming vehement. The prisoner smiled and said: “I agree with you perfectly, sir; Ruth and I are as different as light and darkness. But I wished to say that I was well born, my name being a proud and honored one until I disgraced it, and my parents dying left their fortune to my sister, for I was disinherited by my father, and very justly so. “Ruth devoted her life to my reformation and failed, and the noble girl will mourn deeply the fate which I must some day suffer. She is her own mistress, possesses a large fortune, and yet I would feel that she has one who would kindly look after her when I am gone, and I am going to ask you to let me give you the address of our old home, where a letter sent will reach her, and beg that you will at least keep the cold and cruel world from making her suffer too deeply upon my account, if it is within your power to do so.” “Mr. Arden, I will tell you that it will be my greatest pleasure to do as you request, for when she was here I took a deep interest in your sister, and formed a friendship for her which will be lasting and sincere. I regret keenly your misfortunes, sir, and wish that I could help you, but it is not in my power to do so. The detectives sent by the governor are here for you, and they will take you with them the day after to-morrow. Good-by, Mr. Arden, and may Heaven have mercy upon you.” With this the colonel turned away, and the prisoner was alone once more. CHAPTER XXI. ACCUSED.