The speaker led Tom and the man with the big satchel into his private office, and beckoned both of them to seats after closing the door.
“Now then, young man,” he directed Tom, “tell your story before this man.”
Tom began at the commencement of the Donner incident, and followed it up to its present climax. All through the recital, as reference was made to Harry Ashley, the old man started, ejaculated, grimaced and groaned.
“Ah, he was not Harry Ashley, he was Ernest Warren, the son of my benefactor, my friend! Did he ever say that I, Blennerhassett, abused him?”
“He never said anything about you, for we did not know that he was Ernest Warren,” explained Tom.
“Now, then, for your story, Mr. Blennerhassett, if that is your name,” spoke the police captain.
The old man looked flustered and frightened. He cast an apprehensive glance out at the street, an appealing one at the captain.
“The Czar of Russia shall not be told?” he at length articulated.
“The Czar of Russia?” repeated the official, with a mystified stare. “What has he got to do with it?”
“Everything,” declared Blennerhassett, with a groan. “You will not advise the spies of foreign governments?” he persisted, very seriously.