"It's a petition for pardon," said the other casually, handing it to the Governor.
"What's the conviction," asked the latter, glancing at the document.
"Murder in the first degree," was the answer. Beekman frowned. Out of many applications this was the first he had received in a murder case.
"The game of Governor isn't all beer and skittles, is it, Phillips?"
"I'll change with you any time you say, Governor," laughed Phillips; and a moment later he added: "This is the case of Giles Ilingsworth."
"And who is Giles Ilingsworth?"
"Don't you remember that Tri-State Trust Company affair? The vice-president who shot a man named Pallister."
"Of course, Phillips, now I remember it very well. But I never took much interest in his case. Have they sent the record up—the printed case?"
"Yes, and the Hon. Worth Higgins, of New York, is waiting to see you, Governor Beekman. He came up yesterday—was at the Remsen last night."
"So he was. I remember now seeing him this morning, eating breakfast. I thought he looked at me as if something were in the wind. Tell him to come in, Phillips; I'll see him right away."