Page:Left to Themselves (1891).djvu/287

 we left the Ossokosee. He tried to get me to give him up to him on the Old Province. He is a kidnaper."

"Peters," began Mr. Banger, "I warn you—"

"I am not Samuel Peters. I am Philip Touchtone. Ask all Ossokosee County."

His eyes flashed, and he threw back the false name with infinite disdain.

"You choose a fine alias—that of an unconvicted felon, a burglar's cat's-paw. Banger, I knew a man of that name once."

"Ah!" cried Touchtone, "a man—that you knew! The man that you yourself told me you knew! I believe you did! and that you could clear the stain on his memory to-day by something you have always known, too, about that miserable charge. Mr. Banger, my father was Reginald Touchtone, who was accused of—"

Mr. Banger interrupted him sharply.

"I want no more of this farrago, sir, about yourself or any one else. If you are, indeed, a criminal's son, your asylum's authorities did well to change your name. Once for all, will you come back to the house with me,