AT DAWN
The Tramp’s arm was bleeding badly, and the Cubs’ first thought was to
bind it up for him with the bandages they had so thoughtfully included
in their list of requirements. This done, the party stood looking at
each other in silence.
“You have saved my life,” said Mr. Ogden, stretching out his hand and
speaking in a voice shaken with emotion. “No words can express the
gratitude of one man to another who has done that?”
The Tramp smiled a little grimly, and took the outstretched hand. To
him this was a handshake of forgiveness.
“I don’t know who you are,” said the Squire, “but if there is any way
in which I can serve you, you will be doing me a favour by letting me
know of it.”
There was a strange silence. Then the Tramp gave a dry little laugh.
“You ruined my life, Crale, eight years ago,” he said. “I doubt if you
can make up for that now.”
The Squire started and reeled back against a tree.
“Graham?” he said. “_You?_” He peered at him through the moonlight.
Then covered his face with his hands.
After a moment he looked up again. “The thought of you,” he said, “has
haunted me all these years. But I had not the courage to do the only
thing that could put things right--give myself up. You have had the
courage to save my life and the grace to forgive me. Now, by God’s
help, your every wrong shall be righted; justice shall be satisfied.
What is the use of speaking of this here? Let us get these men back
to the Hall. In the morning we will send for the police for their
arrest--and mine.”
The Cubs were altogether mystified at what was passing. The leading
back of Black Bill and Bingey, and their imprisonment at the Hall,
filled them with delight. To-morrow morning Danny would be found.
Creeping up very softly the two Cubs made their way to the twin’s
bedroom. David was soon in bed and Hugh curled up on the sofa. Before
long they were asleep.
Meanwhile, in the Squire’s study a strange conversation was going on
between Mr. Ogden and the Mysterious Tramp.
“Of course I could escape if I liked,” said Mr. Ogden, “and just leave
everything. But I can’t do it now, I can’t do it! You’ve taught me
honour and courage and showed me that a more noble spirit is worth
while.”
“You must thank your Scout Danny for that,” said the Tramp. “I was
waiting to reap my revenge. It was the thought of him made me do what
I did.”
“Well,” said Ogden, “you’ve lost all, and suffered for seven years in
prison. Justice can never be truly satisfied. But I will do my best to
satisfy it. I shall give myself up and plead guilty. I shall suffer
seven years in prison--more perhaps. And all this wealth that I made
at your expense, sir, will be yours. You will be master of this house,
this land, and of my income. As to my grandsons, I leave it to your
mercy what you will do with them.”
The Tramp gasped with surprise.
“Don’t say a word,” continued Ogden in a broken voice. “It is all a
man can do who truly repents. To-morrow all will be settled with my
lawyers.”
There was silence. Then the Tramp suddenly stood up. “Money, land,
honour--what is this?” he cried. “I don’t want this. Give me back the
one treasure of my life--my little Mariette!”
Ogden started. “I had forgotten the child,” he said. “Of course--of
course. Black Bill took her--to-morrow he shall tell what he did with
her. And Danny--he kidnapped him, for some reason. He will have to make
known where the boy is.”