During the rapid ride the judge had learned all Tom knew of the matter. Max had added a good deal which Tom had not told, and just for one instant the father wavered, not with a thought that the act was premeditated, but that it was an accident which could be explained. Before he was elected judge he had been a prominent criminal lawyer, with a wide reputation for his skill in cross-questioning, and now he said to his son, “Tom tells me you were not near the spot,—that you had no firearms about you,—that you knew nothing of the shooting until some time after it happened. Is this true?” “Yes, it is true, and true, too, that I was looking for Jack when I passed Miss Hansford’s cottage. I wanted to give him a message from Clarice. I must have passed near where he was lying, but did not see him. I made a detour in the woods thinking to find him. I went as far as the old brick kiln and turned back another way and came across Tom coming from Still Haven. We heard some one had been shot and I went at once to see who it was. That is all I know. I am as innocent as you. Max says they think it a mistake which I can explain and it will not go hard with me. There is no mistake. I cannot explain. God knows I didn’t do it, and you believe me, father.” There was dumb entreaty in Paul’s face, and putting his arm around him the judge said, “My boy is innocent, and please God, we will prove him so.” “Must you do this dirty work?” he added, in an aside to Max, who was again wiping the sweat from his face, this time with a handkerchief more soiled than his hands. It was Paul who answered, “Yes, father, he must. Max isn’t to blame. He and I are good friends,—have played hide and coop together many a time,—haven’t we, Max?” “Ye-es,” Max blubbered, “I wish I wasn’t so tarnal tender-hearted.” “Never mind your heart. You must do your duty, so go ahead and do it in ship-shape style,—but omit the bracelets,” Paul said with a laugh. “Must I go to the lock-up?” he continued, shrinking from the dreary place, not often used, and at which when a boy he had often looked curiously, especially if there were a prisoner in it.