The old man seemed to break down and sob like a child, burying his face in his hands, his body shaking convulsively.
Frank made a quick gesture to the others, pressing a finger to his lips as a warning for silence.
In a moment the old man lifted his face, which seemed wet with tears.
"My last hope is gone!" he sighed. "And you are travelers—you are rich!"
He turned to Frank, to whom, with an appealing gesture, he extended a hand that was shaking as if with the palsy.
"You—surely you will have sympathy with me! I can see by your face and your bearing that you are one of fortune's favorites—you are rich. A few dollars——"
"My dear man," said Frank, quite calmly, "I should be more than delighted to aid you, if you had told the truth."
The old man fell back. He was standing fairly in the light which shone from the window.
"What do you mean?" he hoarsely asked. "Do you think I have been lying to you—do you fancy such a thing?"
"I fancy nothing; I know you have lied!"