The mention of prison had the desired effect. George Gaffney broke down completely.
"Oh, sir,—I—I didn't mean to do any wrong—Polk said it would be all right. He got me to go into it—it was all his doings. All I ever got out of it was thirty-five dollars and that I will pay back. Mr. Shalley, I—er—I hope you won't prosecute me, for the sake of my wife and children!" And the clerk wrung his hands in despair.
"Didn't you get any more than thirty-five dollars?"
"No, sir, not a cent more, I swear it. And Polk said that was due to me legally."
"If that is true, I will not prosecute you,—but on one condition."
"Name it."
"That you tell me everything you know about Peter Polk's doings."
"I will do it, Mr. Shalley."
CHAPTER XXIX