"
"I suppose you are right," replied the young man; "although, believe me,
never a thought of this occurred to me."
"Now, would it not be better to tell the truth? Have you done it for a
wager? is it the trick of a foolish young man? or were you really
tempted to steal the watch?"
Something like a smile curved his handsome lips.
"I cannot tell you," he replied. "I am deeply grateful for your kind
interest--indeed, 1 shall never forget it; but I cannot, in return, tell
you one word."
"Then I can do nothing to help you?"
"No," he answered slowly; "you could not help sending me for trial. Will
you tell me what the probable result will be, supposing, as a matter of
course, that I am found guilty?"
"Most probably, six months imprisonment, without hard labor, if it be a
first offence."
"It is the first of its kind," was the smiling reply.
"You will not let me help you, then, in any way?" said Mr. Kent.
"There is nothing you can do for me," said the young man, gratefully.
"If you take my advice," continued the magistrate, "you will send for
some clever lawyer; tell him the truth, whatever it may be, and while
preserving your incognito, he may be able to do something for you. I
should certainly do so in your place."
"I think not," he replied; "the less stir made about it the better.
Surely in the crowd of a criminal court and in the prison dress, I shall
escape recognition?"
"An admission," thought the magistrate, "that he has concealed his
identity.
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