His weak condition showed that he had miscalculated his strength, and Senator Hamblin looking into his face, saw its deathly pallor, while the poor man's eyeballs seemed almost ready to burst from their sockets. Much alarmed, he rose hastily, and seizing the hand of George Alden, said:
"I pity you—God knows I do. You are only human, and I will try and help you out of this trouble, for I recognize you have claims upon me."
"Thank you; perhaps I spoke hastily just now, but answer me—do you think I am guilty?"
"The evidence is very strong against you."
"But have you never thought another might have desired to get me out of the way?"
"To whom do you refer?"
The cashier turned, and pointing toward the door opening into the banking department, replied:
"The man who once went back on you."
"No, I cannot believe that—for he pities you, and to him you owe the fact that no one knows of your crime but him and myself."