“Pat is a good, trusty fellow, and, doctor, I am glad I can make a confidant of you in this matter. I am given the address of a person. I am going to write at once to the proper authorities and see if they can find the name, a very strange name. I never heard it before. I don’t think they can get the wrong fellow if they find one by that name.” “I would advise you to investigate, officer. People are oftentimes innocent, although apparently proved guilty by law, and I am prejudiced against circumstantial evidence. Many poor men are serving time because of that kind of evidence.” “_I am going to thank you_—” “Did you speak? Did you?” “No, doctor. You have heard some of that voice which we hear so often. Can you explain?” “No, sir; and I do not intend to stay in here to hear any more of it, or to try to explain it. Good-bye.” “Good-bye, doctor.” “I am going to ask you to allow me a vacation, officer. I am not feeling very well.” “Mr. Pearson, I have some very important work to do in the next few days, and I shall need you badly.” “I should like to leave by the first of the week, if possible.” “It is more than likely that you can do so. You have nothing more to say in regard to the affair of which we were talking?” “I have not. I do not feel that this man is any relation to me, therefore I am not going to bother anything about him.” “What was your birth-place, Pearson?” “I have secrets of my own. I don’t think that you or anyone should ask about them, and I refuse to tell you. I am not being tried for any crime. I do not have to answer your questions.” “Very well. You may go back to your old position. I shall look after the office. Say, Pearson! Here! You may take along the prisoner here. I don’t care to have him in this room, keeping me alert at every noise.” To the prisoner Pearson said: “Come. I will put you in your cell.” “I am willing to go—to do anything that you request me to do.” “Clarence—did I understand you to say that was your name?” “Yes, sir.” “Here is your cell. Step in. I will also go in. I want to talk to you. Clarence, do you remember anything about your old home, and your brothers and sisters, and your father and mother?” “I have no father—he died when I was a small boy, and sisters I have none. I have one brother.” “What was your father’s name? Of course, I know it was Pearson, but what was his Christian name—or have you forgotten it?” “I have not forgotten anything about my home. I remember all very well. It seems only yesterday, I have such a vivid recollection of all. My brother’s name was William O. Pearson.” “What was the _O._ for?” “For Oliver, and I often called him by that name. You have such a strange way of looking at me, officer. Do you not believe me?”