"Is your real name Sidney?"
The old man uttered a cry, and advancing toward Ike seized his arm and demanded: "What do you mean? Who are you?"
"We had better settle right down to full confidences, Mr. Sidney. I tell you I am your friend."
"Will you explain your words?"
"I will."
"Do so."
"I asked you if your name was Sidney."
"You did."
"I know a young lady named Sidney who could be taken for the original of that picture. I concluded she must be a family connection; indeed, I am in the habit of putting little bits of evidence together and I arrived at a conclusion, following a suspicion aroused by the strange resemblance; that's all. I am telling you the truth."
"You look like an honest youth. Come upstairs with me. We will talk this matter over. My name is Ward; yes, my name is Ward, but I once knew a man named Sidney. He was the friend of my boyhood. I have not seen or heard from him for many, many years."