The features were an exact counterpart in every respect, of those of Edgar Sherwood.
That these two men were brothers could not now be doubted, and all seemed to comprehend, in an instant, the mistake that had been made. The great mystery was at length solved. It was, indeed, a—Double Face.
Imogene now related the cause of her sudden and mysterious disappearance, the treachery of Hank Putney and his implication in the conspiracy for her abduction, and lastly confirmed the statement, that the prisoner before them was the dreaded Iron Hand, by his own confession during their interview in the cave of the Tory League.
At the conclusion, Colonel Hall arose, and congratulated the multitude on the happy termination of what had almost succeeded in becoming a tragedy.
He had scarcely finished, when a low murmur of applause ran through the assembly, which at length broke forth into lusty cheers. All now turned toward the spot where Hank Putney had been seen only a few moments before, among the most clamorous for Captain Sherwood’s execution; but the traitor, seeing the turn events were taking, had fled.
Although Edgar Sherwood had been condemned to suffer death for his brother’s crimes, nevertheless how little was known concerning the deep plot that had been laid to bring about this dreadful mistake.
CHAPTER XI.
THE UNNATURAL BROTHER.
Maurice Sherwood, alias Iron Hand, who had committed so many villainous deeds in the past few years, and whose name had become such a terror to every household, now stood before them, pale and trembling.
Five years previous he had sworn vengeance against his brother, who had never seen him during all this time to know him, and who had believed him to be hundreds of miles away. How near this threat had come to being carried out, the reader already knows.
The desperado’s plans had been skillfully concocted, but a just Providence could not look down upon and sanction the success of a scheme so wicked; thus it was this villain had been baffled in the very last act of his drama.