The Governor read this letter silently, unmoved, and proceeded with the other, which was not an original letter, but a carbon copy. It was addressed to Ougheltree and was signed by Beekman. "_Dear Sir_," it ran, "I am in receipt of your communication with reference to the Ilingsworth petition for pardon. I note everything you say and have considered it carefully. I shall do my best to decide this case upon its merits, and will advise you of the result. "Very truly, "ELIOT BEEKMAN." "This letter," said the Governor, handing the letters back and referring to the carbon copy, "is a copy of my letter to Ougheltree; the other letter I never saw." "But isn't it strange," asked the chairman, "that yours is an answer to the other. Besides, his letter is dated one day, yours the next." The Governor took the letters again and looked them over still more carefully. Finally he ordered Phillips to go to his, Beekman's, private room and fetch Ougheltree's letter of that date. "This is his letter of that date," returned Phillips, referring to the one already read. "Ougheltree did write me a letter of that date, gentlemen," conceded the Governor, eyeing the other sternly. Whereupon Wilkinson winked broadly at the committee, and the chairman took notes upon a little pad. "But this is not the letter." The chairman smiled. "It's very strange," he said, meaningly. The committee returned to the reception-room and took seats round the table. "You understand, Governor," said the chairman, "that we are commissioned to report on these charges. We came here partly to get evidence, partly to get your statement. You understand that the Ilingsworth case is the pivot on which this turns." "I understand that, Mr. Chairman," said the Governor. "Do you mind telling us just why you pardoned this man Ilingsworth?" inquired the other. Leslie leaned forward, drinking in every word. Even the lingering respect that she had for Beekman was fast leaving her. Her father had seen to that. Beekman was already sinking beneath the surface. Wilkinson intended that he should go down into ignominy shunned by all. Beekman still addressed the men of the committee, but now he looked at Leslie. "Everybody knows why I pardoned Ilingsworth," he said. "Ilingsworth didn't commit the crime." The chairman poised his pencil. "So it was a matter not susceptible of proof, wholly within your own knowledge and the knowledge of no one else?" "Yes, that is true." "Come, Leslie," said her father, drawing her away; and turning to Beekman he eyed him severely, and added "The price must have been big! Too thin, Governor--that's too thin!"