“Of murder—a brother of Officer Pearson!”
“Yes. I’ll explain further. I have a telegram here, stating that the real murderer has confessed.”
“Well, I am glad. I hope that his brother is not a murderer. I have a high regard for Officer Pearson.”
“Gentlemen, the worst is yet to come. Mr. Pearson is himself under lock and key.”
“I dare say you are telling the truth.”
“I am, sir. He was heard trying to bribe his brother to swear falsely—to deny his own name.”
“Pray, what was that for?”
“I regret to say that he has swindled his brother out of his part of the estate by swearing the brother was dead. By doing this, Mr. Pearson fell heir to the entire estate, which was large, and he lost it all, except the home which his family now occupies.”
“The poor man! What was the amount?”
“In the hundreds of thousands.”