The Governor drew up sharply and said,
"What's the matter with you? Are you ill?"
Stowell, who had recovered himself, answered,
"No, I am not ill, your Excellency."
"Then you must be mad—stark mad. It's impossible. You can never have done such a thing."
"I am not mad either, Sir. What I tell you is the truth—it is God's truth, Sir."
And then, excusing nothing, extenuating nothing, Stowell told the Governor what he had done, and how he had done it.
"I used my official position to effect the escape of the prisoner, and I arranged for her flight, with her companion, to a foreign country."
The Governor listened without drawing breath.
"But why .... why did you .... was it because I refused to remit...."