Now, the secretary had a discreet regard for the old governor's feelings, and it was seldom that his presence of mind so far deserted him as to admit of his suffering the old governor's wishes to be disregarded. He bolted the door and sat himself down at his modest desk and simulated intense enthusiasm in his work. His simulation was more intense than usual, for never before had the secretary seen the old governor in such a harsh mood. "Has the mail come--where are the papers and the letters?" demanded the old governor, in a gruff voice. "Here they are, sir," said the secretary, as he put the bundle on the old governor's table. "These are addressed to you privately; the business letters are on my desk. Would you like to see them now?" "No, not now," growled the old governor; "I will read the papers and my private correspondence first." But the old governor found cause for uneasiness in this employment. The papers discussed the affair of the imprisoned man, and these private letters came from certain of the old governor's friends, who, strangely enough, exhibited an interest in the self-same prisoner's affair. The old governor was highly disgusted. "They should mind their own business," muttered the old governor. "The papers are very officious, and these other people are simply impertinent. My mind is made up--nothing shall change me!" Then the old governor turned to his private secretary and bade him bring the business letters, and presently the private secretary could hear the old governor growling and fumbling over the pile of correspondence. He knew why the old governor was so excited; many of these letters were petitions from the people touching the affair of the imprisoned man. Oh, how they angered the old governor! "Humph!" said the old governor at last, "I 'm glad I 'm done with them. There are no more, I suppose." When the secretary made no reply the old governor was surprised. He wheeled in his chair and searchingly regarded the secretary over his spectacles. He saw that the secretary was strangely embarrassed. "You have not shown me all," said the old governor, sternly. "What is it you have kept back?" Then the secretary said: "I had thought not to show it to you. It is nothing but a little child's letter--I thought I should not bother you with it." The old governor was interested. A child's letter to _him_--what could it be about? Such a thing had never happened to him before. "A child's letter; let me see it," said the old governor, and, although his voice was harsh, somewhat of a tender light came into his eyes.