The chairman turned sharply to the guard. "Why did you manacle this man," he demanded, "when he is evidently so weak, and when none of the others were manacled?"
"Why, sir," stammered the guard, "surely you know who this man is: he is the most dangerous and desperate——"
"We know all about that. Remove his manacles."
The guard obeyed. The chairman turned to the convict, and in a kindly manner said, "Do you know who we are?"
The convict got himself together a little and looked steadily at the chairman. "No," he replied, after a pause. His manner was direct, and his voice was deep, though hoarse.
"We are the State Prison Directors. We have heard of your case, and we want you to tell us the whole truth about it."
The convict's mind worked slowly, and it was some time before he could comprehend the explanation and request. When he had accomplished that task he said, very slowly, "I suppose you want me to make a complaint, sir."
"Yes,—if you have any to make."
The convict was getting himself in hand. He straightened up, and gazed at the chairman with a peculiar intensity. Then firmly and clearly he answered, "I've no complaint to make."
The two men sat looking at each other in silence, and as they looked a bridge of human sympathy was slowly reared between them. The chairman rose, passed around an intervening table, went up to the convict, and laid a hand on his gaunt shoulder. There was a tenderness in his voice that few men had ever heard there.