He was going to play his last card, with the odds of a thousand to one against his winning.

But that very fact only nerved him the more.
Promptly at ten o'clock, the morning after his arrival at the state capital, he sent in his card to the Governor.

Fortunately for him, the middle of August is not a busy time with that official, and after a slight delay, he was ushered into the executive chamber.
Peter had been planning this interview for hours, and without explanation or preamble, he commenced his statement.

He knew that he must interest the Governor promptly, or there would be a good chance of his being bowed out.

So he began with a description of the cow-stables.
Then he passed to the death of the little child.