“‘You received such a statement?’

“‘I did not, but the officer did—the one whose place you are filling.’

“‘I will look into this matter, at once.’

“‘You may take him back to his cell, guard, and I will send for him again when I have investigated this thoroughly. Take him back, and return at once.’

“I was sure that if he were innocent, he could be proved to be so, and I decided to go about it at once.

“‘A great man, he is,’ said the guard. ‘We have had more trouble with him than with twenty-five of the other prisoners together.’

“‘Do you know anything in regard to a letter written here?’

“‘I do not. I think that the superintendent has taken a letter for use while he is working on the case for the poor devil.’

“‘Well, I will go to the records and see if there is a record of any such letter.’