"Do you recognise the prisoner as the person whom you met at the George last evening?"
"I do."
"Can you swear that he is Richard Allingford?"
"No."
Scarsdale's heart leaped at that "no"; salvation was at hand after all.
The magistrate continued:
"Do you believe this person to be Richard Allingford?"
"Yes, on the whole I think I do." The prisoner's heart sank. "But," continued the witness, "I can't be sure. Fifteen years is a long time. I wouldn't have known him if he hadn't owned up to his name. He might be playing me for a sucker."
"In other words, you think the prisoner to be Richard Allingford, but are unwilling to swear to his identity?"
"That's the stuff," replied Faro Charlie. "I swored as a man was my uncle, three years ago at 'Frisco, and he put a bullet into me next day, 'cause I lost him the case. After which I ain't swearing against a pal," and he left the stand.