“I am not fully decided what to do,” said the superintendent. “I must write at once and acknowledge the receipt of this telegram, and I must see that the proper authorities get the confession of this man Pearson, and place him where he should be. And if Clarence is proved innocent, he ought to be freed at once. “I hear a faint knock. I hope that it is not Pearson’s wife. I must open the door. They know that I am here at this hour of the day. “Good morning, Miss Gertie.” “I have brought papa something to eat. I had such a hard time to get this for him. Mother and sister went shopping, and while they were gone I did some baking and brought it to papa. May I see him?” “I will see that your father gets it, Miss Gertie. If you are in a hurry to return before your mother and sister get home, you had better go at once.” “Oh, no! I want to see papa. I want to tell him something. Is he not in this room where he was before?” “Well, no—I—had—to use that room, and I gave him another room. I think that he is asleep now. He had a very restless night. I feel that he should not be disturbed.” “Officer, I must see him. I want to tell him something. I have a secret to tell him—not exactly a secret, but it is to papa, perhaps.” “I am sorry, but I shall have to deliver the message for you. I am worthy of your confidence. I do feel very sorry for you and your father. Pray trust me with the secret. I’ll deliver it as it is given to me.” “Officer, I am heart-broken. I do want to see papa.” “I think I have him where I can put me hand on him, and I hope I’ll never have to put me club on him again, for I feel sorry every toime I hear the daughter cry. Poor girl! I hope she won’t come here again. If she does, I hope she will lave the tears at home, for every toime I hear her cry I think of me poor dog,” said Pat, outside. “I’ll be going along by the office and see if I’m wanted.” “Here comes Pat. I’ll have him bring your father in, if he is not asleep. “Pat, save yourself the bother of coming in, and go and see if Mr. Pearson is awake. If so, tell him I want to see him.” “Mr. Guard—Pat, please bring papa. If he is asleep, waken him and tell him that I am here.” “I was in hopes the poor girl would not come again, but here she is, and bring him in I will. It’s the furst toime in me life annyone called me by the handle to me name. It’s always ‘Pat,’ but she called me ‘Mr. Pat.’ I’d do annything for the girl. I’d even treat the father nice. Poor man, maybe, after all, he really thought his brother was dead. “Mr. Pearson, your honor, will you please come along with me, and oblige me? Your beautiful daughter is in the office and wants to tell you something.” “Pat, I do not care to see her. I know how the poor girl will feel to leave me, and if she does not see me, it will not be so hard on her nor on me.” “I wish you would come. She is waiting for you, and indade, I’d be disobeying orders to go back without you, and I don’t want to take you, as I have done.”