Rachel, daughter of the late
Governor-General Jorgensen," said the Judge.

"That is he, and I want you to give me an opinion respecting him,"
said Michael Sunlocks.

"Gladly," said the Judge.

"He was sent to the Sulphur Mines," said Michael Sunlocks.

"For six months, certain," said the Judge.

"Can we recall him, and have him tried afresh by the Court of the
Quarter or the High Court of Justice?" said Michael Sunlocks.

"Too late for that," said the Judge. "A higher court, if it had
condemned at all, might certainly have given him a longer punishment,
but his sentence of six months is coupled with a condition that he
shall hereafter take an oath of peace towards you. So have no fear of
him."

"I have none at all," said Michael Sunlocks, "as my next question
will show."

"What is it?" said the Judge.

"Can I pardon him?" said Michael Sunlocks.

For a moment the Lagmann was startled out of his placid manner, but
recovering his composure he answered, "Yes, a President has sovereign
powers of pardon."

"Then, Lagmann," said Michael Sunlocks, "will you see the needful
papers drawn for my signature?"

"Surely," said the Judge. "But, first, will you pardon _me_?" he
added, with a shadow of a smile.

"Say what you please, Lagmann," said Michael Sunlocks.

"It is possible that you do not yet know the nature of the evidence
given at the trial," said the Judge.

"I think I do," said Michael Sunlocks.

"That this man claims to be your half-brother?"

"He _is_ my brother."

"That he thinks you have stood in his place?"

"I _have_ stood in his place."

"That he is jealous of you, and in his madness has vowed to slay
you?"

"His jealousy is natural, and his vow I do not dread."

The cold-mannered Lagmann paused a moment, wiped his short-sighted
eyes with his red print handkerchief, and then said in a husky voice,
"This is very noble of you. I'll go at once for the document."

He had only just gone from the room when Greeba returned to it. She
had tried too long to conquer her agitation and could not, and now
with wide eyes and a look of fear in them she hastened back to her
husband the moment the Lagmann had left him.

"Michael," she cried, "what has the Lagmann gone for?"

"For a form of pardon," he answered.

"Pardon for that man?" she asked.

"Even so," he said, "and I have promised to sign it."

"Oh, Michael, my love--my dear, kind Michael!" she cried, in a
pitiful voice of entreaty, "don't