Peter could only sob and moan.

"Now," continued Guffey, "I been finding out all about you, I got
your life story from the day you were born, and there's no use your
trying to hide anything. I know your part in this here bomb plot,
and I can send you to the gallows without any trouble whatever. But
there's some things I can't prove on the other fellows. They're the
big ones, the real devils, and they're the ones I want, so you've
got a chance to save yourself, and you better be thankful for it."

Peter went on moaning and sobbing.

"Shut up!" cried the man. And then, fixing Peter's frightened gaze
with his own, he continued, "Understand, you got a chance to save
yourself. All you got to do is to tell what you know. Then you can
come out and you won't have any more trouble. We'll take good care
of you; everything'll be easy for you."

Peter continued to gaze like a fascinated rabbit. And such a longing
as surged up in his soul--to be free, and out of trouble, and taken
care of! If only he had known anything to tell; if only there was
some way he could find out something to tell!






Section 7