Perceiving that his companion, for some reason, did not care to talk, he read as the car moved downtown.
Suddenly Captain Elisha was awakened from his reverie by hearing his friend utter an exclamation.

Looking up, the captain saw that he was leaning back in the seat, the paper lying unheeded in his lap.
"What's the matter ?" asked the older man, anxiously.
Pearson started, glanced quickly at his friend, hesitated, and looked down again.
"Nothing--now," he answered, brusquely.

"We get out here.

Come." He rose, picked up the paper with a hand that shook a little, and led the way to the door of the car.

Captain Elisha followed, and they strode up the deserted side street.