"What is your name?" demanded the judge of the young man thus brought before him.
The fellow hesitated an instant, and a lie trembled on his lips; but then looking around and seeing many who could identify him, he knew that falsehood would be useless, and sullenly replied:
"Silas Thatcher."
"Where do you live?"
"On Hester Street, near the Bowery, in New York."
"What is your business?"
"Haint got none."
"What have you to say in reply to the statement which you have just heard made by this gentleman, to the effect that you sold this seal to him?"
"Nothin'," answered Silas after a little hesitation.
"Nothing? But do you not understand, young man, that this may be a very serious matter? I do not ask you that you may criminate yourself in any way, but with the hope that if you have any reasonable explanation to offer you will not withhold it. How did this seal come into your possession?"