cows six years ago. You cartooned five years ago, and you
have painted landscapes ever since. I presume, if it became necessary,
you could prove an alibi for almost seven years?"

Saxon nodded. He fancied he saw the drift of the argument. It was to
culminate in the same counsel that Steele had given. He would be
advised to allow the time to reach the period when his other self
should be legally dead.

Mr. Pendleton paced the floor for a space, then came back and halted
before the cot, on the edge of which the prisoner sat.

"I have been at this post only two years, but I am, of course,
familiar with the facts of that case." He paused, then added with
irrelevance: "It may be that you bear a somewhat striking resemblance
to this particularly disreputable conspirator. Of course, that's
possible, but--"

"But highly improbable," admitted Saxon.

"Oh, you are not that man! That can be mathematically demonstrated,"
asserted Mr. Pendleton suddenly. "I was only reflecting on the
fallibility of circumstantial evidence. I am a lawyer, and once, as
district attorney, I convicted a man on such evidence. He's in the
penitentiary now, and it set me wondering if--"

But Saxon stood dumfounded, vainly trying to speak. His face was
white, and he had seized the envoy by the arm with a grip too
emphatic for diplomatic etiquette.

"Do you know what you are saying?" he shouted. "I am not that man! How
do you know that?"

"I know it," responded Mr. Pendleton calmly, "because the incident of
the firing-squad occurred five years ago--and the embezzlement only
four years back."

Saxon remained staring in wide-eyed amazement. He felt his knees grow
suddenly weak, and the blood cascaded through the arteries of his
temples. Then, he turned, and, dropping again to the edge of the cot,
covered his face with his hands.

"You see," explained Mr. Pendleton, "there is only one ground upon
which any charge against you can be reinstated--an impeachment of your
evidence as to how you have put in the past five years. And," he
smilingly summarized, "since the case comes before this court solely
on your self-accusation, since you have journeyed some thousands of
miles merely to prosecute yourself, I regard your evidence on that
point as conclusive."

Later, the envoy, with his arm through that of the liberated
prisoner, walked out past deferential sentries into the Plaza.

"And, now, the blockade being run," he amiably inquired, "what are
yo