He did not sit down . `` Please , Mr. Walters , '' he began desperately , `` I came to tell you -- your notice -- I never saw it before -- and I 've been fishing on your pond all summer -- but I did n't know -- honest -- I 've brought you all I caught today -- and I 'll pay back for them all -- some time . '' An amused , puzzled expression crossed Mr. Walters 's noncommittal face . He pushed the leather chair forward . `` Sit down , my boy , '' he said kindly . `` I do n't quite understand this somewhat mixed-up statement of yours . You 've been fishing on my pond , you say . Did n't you see my notice in the Advertiser ? '' Dan sat down more composedly . The revelation was over and he was still alive . `` No , sir . We hardly ever see an Advertiser , and nobody told me . I 'd always been used to fishing there , and I never thought but what it was all right to keep on . I know I ought to have remembered and asked you , but truly , sir , I did n't mean to steal your fish . I used to sell them over at the hotels . We saw the notice today , Mother and me , and I came right up . I 've brought you the trout I caught this morning , and -- if only you wo n't prosecute me , sir , I 'll pay back every cent I got for the others -- every cent , sir -- if you 'll give me time . '' Mr. Walters passed his hand across his mouth to conceal something like a smile . `` Your name is Dan Phillips , is n't it ? '' he said irrelevantly , `` and you live with your mother , the Widow Phillips , down there at Carleton Corners , I understand . ''
`` Yes , sir , '' said Dan , wondering how Mr. Walters knew so much about him , and if these were the preliminaries XXXXX prosecution .
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