“I was at a loss to know what to do. Must I confess—acknowledge him as my brother? or should I pretend to be ignorant of the fact which was plain to my mind? No one knew that he was my brother—not even the man himself knew it. Why should I acknowledge a criminal and a murderer? I could not!
“I thought: ‘I shall place him at once at hard labor. I shall call the guard and have him brought in. I shall try to be brave and not think of boyhood days, when he and I went hand in hand to the dear old school. And dear mother, how she caressed us as she said good-bye! I can hear those words ring in my ears yet: “Run along, children, and study hard, and some day you will be your mother’s pride.” Yes, to-day, if she could be near her criminal son, she would not be so proud of him. She would do as I am going to do, disown him.’
“I had been so deeply engrossed in thought that I had not called for the prisoner, so I called: ‘Guard, I want you to bring No. 78 in here.’
“I felt so uneasy that I thought: ‘Can it be that I have decided wrong in this matter?’
“‘Here he is,’ responded the guard, in a short time.
“‘Come in, and I will find the work for you to do which I think you will be able and trustworthy to do. You may take this coat and hat, and you may remove your coat of stripes, and we will exchange places.’
“‘What! You think that I would not do my part if I were given work which I could do? I know that I would do my part if given work I could do. I know I would do my part. Oh, please give me a chance! I only want an opportunity to live, if I can, those ten years I must stay in here—or, at least, until I am proved innocent.’
“‘Well, how do you think you can prove that you are innocent?’
“‘The real murderer has written to the superintendent and confessed his guilt—or, at least, a letter has been sent here stating that I am innocent.’