"He's welcome, my boy." She always called him her boy, and somehow it did not sound strange. "Come in, don't be afraid," said Brack. The man stepped into the small room, looking round suspiciously. Why had Brack brought him here, had he any particular reasons for doing so, reasons that would benefit himself? Brack gathered something of what was passing in his mind and whispered, "You'll be quite safe here, sit down." They had a fish supper; to the stranger it was the most wonderful meal he had partaken of for some years. He ate greedily, he could not help it, but Brack, watching him, knew he was a well-bred man. The old lady asked no questions, she never questioned what her son did; she bade them good-night and went to her room. It was then Brack learned something of the man he had brought to his home; and the tale harrowed his feelings, froze the marrow in his bones, horrified him; he shuddered as he imagined what this highly cultured man must have suffered. They talked until the small hours of the morning, Brack considering what he should do, how to get his companion away from Torquay? Suddenly he said, "Do yer mind telling me yer name? I'd like to know it in case I hear of yer in the world sometimes. You'll be far away from here, but I'd like to have something to remember yer by and I reckon yer name's the best thing." The man was startled; again the suspicious look came into his eyes. Would it ever be entirely absent, that haunted gaze; it was pitiable. "I don't want it if you don't care to give it to me." "I beg your pardon. You deserve my entire confidence. You are running grave risk for my sake, an unknown man, a stranger, worse--an escaped prisoner from Dartmoor." "Never mind the risk; we'll not trouble about that," said Brack. "Do you know what the consequences would be if it were known you had hidden me?" "I don't know and I don't care," said Brack. "Think of your mother." Brack laughed as he said: "She'll glory in what I've done when I tell her; she's Bill out there." "I forgot; that makes all the difference. And he's innocent." "Like you." "How do you know I am innocent?" "Yer face tells me. I'd trust a man like you anywhere and anyhow." "If ever I come into my own again, if ever my innocence is proved, I'll see to you and your mother for life, and I'll promise to do all I can for Bill, your brother." Brack's face glowed. "Damn me but you're a man!" he said and seized his hand. "I forgot, I'm a fool," he added, as the man winced. The pain from Brack's honest grip was intense. "I will tell you my name. You may have heard it before--we receive news sometimes--my brother is a famous rider. You are a bit of a sportsman?"