“I don’t know if that is what you call it, but I don’t care to hear anny more of it; the last toime I felt the way I did was when the only friend I ever had died, and that was me dog. I never had a poor father or mother—if I did, they never told me about it; but one kind lady told the good woman that raised me I was too small to know me father and mother, so I don’t know anny, and if I had anny—God bless ’em!—their son never had to swear all the children was dead to get what the old folks left.” “Pat, you have heard all about this, have you?” “I don’t know what ‘this’ is. You mane have I heard something about this poor man’s troubles?” “Here are the officials, now. You may go. I shall send for you.” “I am glad I can go. I am not going to meet the high officials. They might be so high I couldn’t make meself heard. I’ll just sit meself down.” “Good morning, gentlemen.” “Good morning.” “Good morning.” “Why have we been called?” “Mr. McHenry, there has been trouble here in regard to one of the prisoners who is a very poor man. Strange things have happened since he has been in the prison, and the strangest part of all is that he is a brother of Officer Pearson.” “A brother of Officer Pearson?” “The man was convicted of murder on circumstantial evidence.” “Of murder—a brother of Officer Pearson!” “Yes. I’ll explain further. I have a telegram here, stating that the real murderer has confessed.” “Well, I am glad. I hope that his brother is not a murderer. I have a high regard for Officer Pearson.” “Gentlemen, the worst is yet to come. Mr. Pearson is himself under lock and key.” “I dare say you are telling the truth.” “I am, sir. He was heard trying to bribe his brother to swear falsely—to deny his own name.” “Pray, what was that for?” “I regret to say that he has swindled his brother out of his part of the estate by swearing the brother was dead. By doing this, Mr. Pearson fell heir to the entire estate, which was large, and he lost it all, except the home which his family now occupies.” “The poor man! What was the amount?” “In the hundreds of thousands.” “Well, well! How sorry I am to hear that about Mr. Pearson!” “You have not heard all yet about Mr. Pearson. I am going to explain it all. He threatened to kill his brother if he did not swear that he had been registered under an assumed name. In that way Pearson hoped not to be recognized as the convict’s brother.” “You are relating something that can be verified, are you?” “I am.” “Where did you get your information?” “I have a very trustworthy guard that overheard some things.” “You are not believing all these things from hearsay, are you?” “I have heard enough myself to be convinced that Mr. Pearson is guilty.” “Call Mr. Pearson in.” “Well, here is where I bring in the fellow with the black eye. I’ll just step to the door, by accident,” said Pat, outside. “Pat, step in and show Mr. Pearson in.” “I will, your honor.”