“Your honor, here he is. Everything was all right when I went around, but the chap got smart and I have been bating him for a half-hour, then the time was up and you said report, and here I am with what is left of him. I hear a knock on the door. “Come right in, ladies. “Officer, here.” “Oh, papa, papa!” “My dear husband! What has happened to you?” Pat muttered: “Only a good bating, and he deserved it.” “Pat, I must censure you for speaking in that way. I did not intend that you should open the door, and I intended to place him in the second room. I had no chance to speak to you before you opened the door. Now you may go.” “I will, your honor. You always told me to open the door when you heard a knock. Now you blame me for it. How do I know what to do and do it right?” Outside, Pat whispered to himself: “I have had quite a time and feel pretty tired. I don’t think I will go, for I have a knowledge-place here where I get all my news, and I think I will get some more knowledge and sit meself down for a while. What the deuce is all of the crying for inside? I know I did not bate him to death.” “My dear madam, calm yourself. I will explain the best I can. I hardly know how to do so. I think Mr. Pearson could do better than I could.” “Mother, take papa home. Do, please, out of this horrid place, never to return.” “I am very sorry, miss, but I—” “You do not expect my husband to remain on duty when he is suffering, do you? “Tell me how did you get so badly hurt,” said Mrs. Pearson, turning to her husband. “Mother, do you not see that he can not raise his head?” Pat, listening outside, remarked: “Not because he is hurt, little miss, but because he is ashamed to raise his head, and I am afraid you will not be able to raise your head up when this is all brought out. I feel I would of done the poor fellow a favor if I had bate him to death. Ho will have to die sometime, and perhaps this would of suited him better.” “He will have to remain in the hospital, here, and we will take care of him.” “Oh! I have a doctor, my family doctor, and I want him to look after him. What did you send for me for? Wasn’t it to take him home?” said Mrs. Pearson. “No; I did not know at the time I was talking that he was injured. You know, he had this trouble—I told Pat to call around to his cell and see how he was getting along.” “His cell! his cell!” “Yes, my wife and dear children, I am a prisoner here. I can not go home with you.” “Papa! oh, papa!” “You a prisoner here? What have you done to be confined in this place, a prisoner?” “I can not tell you. Go home. I may never get the chance again.” “You a prisoner? My husband, whom I have promised to honor, a criminal? The father of my children a criminal? Oh, no! I do not believe it.” “Madam, I think you had better take your daughters home. Calm yourself, and I will explain all to you later.” “I can not leave this place without my husband.”