“What are you doing, Pat? Mumbling to yourself? No one can understand those sounds.”
“I understand what he is doing. He has himself just where I will be soon, locked up in this place.”
“Oh, Mr. Pearson! you always had a grievance against Pat. I have never seen any cause for it—none at all, I say.”
“You will have, after I have explained all.”
“You may take him back, Pat. It will soon be time for the Southwest Limited to arrive. Due in a half-hour. Make haste.”
He mused: “Pearson is one of those men who, after he has been caught, wants to catch everyone else, and he will tell all on poor old Pat. I am so sorry for him. His first mistake, and a bad one at that, but I hope Pearson will be enough of a gentleman not to make him suffer for it. His conscience will hurt him enough for his part. I always placed so much confidence in Pat. I am heartily sick of the whole affair. One man can commit a crime and drag others down with him. Here comes Pat. He looks tired and worried.”
“Well, your honor, I am back after a hard time I had getting the officer into his cell.”
“Pat, why should he say what he did? Have you had some trouble with him, that you did not tell me about?”
“Your question shall be answered, but not to-day, not to-day.”