“Pearson, have you ever had any trouble with Pat?”
“I have not.”
“I believe that you and he have not the best of feeling for each other. Can you explain the condition?”
“I have no grievance against Pat. I do not understand why he should bring in such alarming reports, reports which on investigation prove to be untrue, absolutely untrue, with no base or foundation whatever, and that is why I am not particularly fond of Pat.”
“It is all a very strange affair. During my absence did you have a conversation with Convict 78? And what was the object of that conversation? What was your reason for dismissing Pat, after he had brought the convict in?”
“I do not remember doing so.”
“I have been informed that you did. There should be no secrets among the officials and the prisoners.”
“I am going to explain. I am the mother of these two boys, and the Prisoner 78 and my son Pearson, here, are brothers. Pearson knows that his brother is an innocent man, but is ashamed to acknowledge his brother. But the prisoner is as innocent as you, who are trying to punish him for a crime he never committed.”
“Do you hear that voice, Pearson?”
“I do, but from whom does it come? There is no one here that I can see.”