“You may take him back, Pat. It will soon be time for the Southwest Limited to arrive. Due in a half-hour. Make haste.” He mused: “Pearson is one of those men who, after he has been caught, wants to catch everyone else, and he will tell all on poor old Pat. I am so sorry for him. His first mistake, and a bad one at that, but I hope Pearson will be enough of a gentleman not to make him suffer for it. His conscience will hurt him enough for his part. I always placed so much confidence in Pat. I am heartily sick of the whole affair. One man can commit a crime and drag others down with him. Here comes Pat. He looks tired and worried.” “Well, your honor, I am back after a hard time I had getting the officer into his cell.” “Pat, why should he say what he did? Have you had some trouble with him, that you did not tell me about?” “Your question shall be answered, but not to-day, not to-day.” CHAPTER XX. THE MURDERER ARRIVES. “Here is our new prisoner, the self-confessed murderer, and Clarence Pearson will be released. “Open the door, Pat.” “Good morning, sir. I have a prisoner for you.” “Very well. Please register, here.” “You will have to, for me. My wrists hurt so I am not able to hold a pen in my hand, to say nothing of writing.” “Your name is—” “William Devenart.” “A very odd name you have, Mr. Devenart. “Pat, you may take care of him. Give him his bath and shave and new suit, then return to the office with Clarence Pearson.” “You poor, unfortunate fellow, you come along with me. Tell me all about yourself. I’m a guard here, and will trate you nice if you trate yourself so; but I want to give you a tip: Do not disobey rules. It will be better for you. How long are you sentenced here for?” “Life.” “My man! A life sentence, indade! You will eat manny a meal with us, and I am not sure but what I will ate some off the same table.” “Do the guards and prisoners all eat together?” “No, not always; but sometimes the guards turns into prisoners.” “I do not understand you.” “I do not know what I did mane, to do what I did. Here is the place. Clane yourself up and don the new suit, and very seldom do the styles change—I belave once in ten years, from stripes to checks. You will feel cool after you have been shaved and have a hair-cut. One advantage, you’ll not be needing a comb very soon.” “Don’t they allow you to comb your hair?” “Oh, yes; but you don’t have anny to comb.” “Going to cut my hair off?” “Sure, Mike—do all of ’em. And won’t I be a peach if I have to get me own hair cut? “The poor boy don’t look like a criminal. I will be kind to him. I could see tears in his eyes when he was talking. If all of the young men could see some of these heart-rending cases, I do feel we would have less crime.” “What! A lady coming here? I do believe it is.” “Mrs. Pearson, come in,” said the superintendent. “How do you do, Mrs. Pearson?” “Good morning. I should like to see Mr. Pearson.” “Your husband?”