“Here is me punishment beginning now. I am after getting a taste of it meself. I may be the next poor devil to court. For the love of Mike! what will I do? Pray? I haven’t the time now. I will after I get through with this trial, and then I may have something to pray for. Here I am at the cell, and I belave he’s aslape. Now, I wonder if he was awake all night. I’m not aslape, and I was up too, all night. I will get him out of here.” “Come, Officer Pearson! Your trial is at hand, and I have come for you.” “I’m willing to go, Pat—and say, Pat, are you for me, or against me?” “I am neither, if I don’t have to be.” “If you are called to the stand, what will you say—anything about our plot to get away?” “Will you say anything about it if I am not called to the stand?” “I’m not quite sure if I will or not, Pat. I must be out of here, and if you will get me out, I will not mention anything about your offering to liberate me.” “If you think you can get away without my help, you may do so—if I don’t see you; but if I see you, you won’t get away. Here we are at the court.” CHAPTER XXII. PAT’S TESTIMONY. “You are taking your time, Pat. We are waiting for you.” When court had been opened and the preliminaries had been gone through, Mr. Pearson was examined. “You are registered under your correct name, are you not?” “I am.” “Mr. Pearson, how long has your mother been dead?” “Twenty-one years.” “Did she leave a will?” “Yes, sir.” “Did you know that you were the only heir?” “No, sir—well, I thought so.” “But you did not know for sure?” “No, sir.” “Mr. Pearson, did you take oath that you knew your brother was dead?” “I did; yes, sir. I thought he was. We had never heard from him.” “Did you look for him, or try to find him?” “Well, no.” “Did you acknowledge him as a brother when you did find him?” “I did.” “Not until you had to.” “Well, I tried to do for him after I found him.” “In what way?” “I told him I would help him.” “Out of prison, or financially?” “Well, I don’t know,” “You don’t know what you were going to do, but you were going to do something for him?” “I felt that I should.” “Will you tell the court what you were going to do, or thought of doing? Now, Mr. Pearson, you have been holding a position of authority, have you not?” “Yes, sir.” “Have you done an officer’s duty?” “I have tried to.” “You tried to, but did you?” “I don’t know.” “You are excused.” Pat was called to the stand. “Your name?” “Me name is Pat Dugan.” “Well, Pat, what do you know about this Officer Pearson?” “Your honor, I wish I had never seen the man.” “That is not answering my question.” “Well, I don’t know what he did all the time, but I know I wish I did not know what he did anny of the time.” “Answer the question.” “Plase repeat it, I am after forgetting the question.” “Tell what you know in regard to this case. Did Officer Pearson fill his position as an officer should?”