Mr. Woodcourt then told us that the trooper's man had been with him before day, after wandering about the streets all night like a distracted creature. That one of the trooper's first anxieties was that we should not suppose him guilty. That he had charged his messenger to represent his perfect innocence with every solemn assurance he could send us. That Mr. Woodcourt had only quieted the man by undertaking to come to our house very early in the morning with these representations. He added that he was now upon his way to see the prisoner himself.
My guardian said directly he would go too. Now, besides that I liked the retired soldier very much and that he liked me, I had that secret interest in what had happened which was only known to my guardian. I felt as if it came close and near to me. It seemed to become personally important to myself that the truth should be discovered and that no innocent people should be suspected, for suspicion, once run wild, might run wilder.

Mr. Woodcourt then told us that the trooper's man Phil Squod had been with him before day, after wandering about the streets all night like a distracted creature; and that the trooper was anxious that we should not suppose him guilty. Mr. Woodcourt had promised to come to our house very early in the morning; he added that he was now upon his way to see Mr. George in prison.
My guardian said directly he would go too. Now, besides my liking for the retired soldier, I had that secret interest in what had happened. I felt as if it came near to me. It seemed to become personally important to me that the truth should be discovered and that no innocent people should be suspected.
