“I got nothing to hide,” the tramp said with a shrug. “I’ve had a tough life, knockin’ around the world. Sometimes I’ve had enough to eat—sometimes I haven’t. For awhile I worked on a lake freighter. Then I got a bad infection in my leg. When I came out of the hospital, I was broke and discouraged.
“I began to turn things over in my mind, wishing I could settle down and start a new life. Then I remembered I had an uncle here in Webster City that was well fixed. I’d never paid any attention to the old duffer, or he to me. I couldn’t even remember his name. But I thought I’d drift out this way and look him up. Figured he might stake me to a new start.”
“Who was your uncle?” Mr. Hatfield asked curiously.
“You’ll hear in a minute. Well, as I was saying, I came out here and tried to look him up. I didn’t have any luck. Finally I was down to my last dime.
“I was desperate. I tried to get help from charity, but was told they couldn’t help me because I was a non-county resident.”
“Never mind all these details,” State Trooper Peterson cut in impatiently. “You robbed the Merrimac home?”
“Yes, I heard talk in a pool room that the old man had a strongbox. I noticed by watching the house that he was careless about locking his doors. So I watched my chance and slipped in. I found the box without any trouble. But as I was leaving, I saw a photograph that gave me a terrific shock.”
“Mr. Merrimac’s picture?” questioned the trooper.
“No, it was a picture of my mother. In a flash, I knew that I was robbing my own uncle, because he was the only person in Webster City who would have such a photograph.”
“But you went through with the deed all the same?” Officer Peterson reminded him.