V.
THE COMPACT.
"Yes," said the stranger, composedly; "I repeat the question, why did you change your name to Manson?"
"What—do—you—mean?" the old man faltered slowly.
"I mean just what I say, and I see you understand me well enough."
"You can't prove it," said Peter, with an uneasy glance at his imperturbable companion.
"Can't I? Perhaps not. I should say the mysterious knowledge you seem to possess of the main incidents in my story would prove something."
"That isn't evidence in a court of law," said Peter, regaining a degree of confidence.
"Perhaps not; but I say, Peter, don't you recognize me?"