"Doctor," said Carl, in complete surrender, "Let it be so. I am willing to pay the price, even to death. I plead no more for my own sake, but I would, if possible, save those who love me from humiliation and agony, which to them would be more terrible than death."
"Here you mistake again," replied the doctor. "You imagine that your father's pride is stronger than his love."
"So I do," stammered Carl. "I believe that my father would much rather believe that his son is dead than to know that he is a criminal. There has never been a stain on my father or mother's name until—until I brought this one upon it and the holy office he occupies. Then, they have lived through the anguish of believing me to be dead, and it is terrible to think of bringing into their declining years a deeper sorrow. Ah, believe me, Doctor, it is not my happiness I desire, but to save them from deeper pain. If I am acting wrongly, I pray God, whom I now ask for pardon, may direct me aright."
"I greatly fear," replied the doctor, "that you are only willing to be directed in your own way. But I must leave you. The boat passes Centerville in an hour. I will take the money and send it by express on tomorrow's steamer."
As has been told, the money was duly received by the cashier of the Bank of England.
As Mr. Bone opened the package, he discovered that the notes had been first wrapped in a sheet of substantial letter paper, and sealed at both ends. As he was about to drop this wrapper into the waste basket his eye caught sight of a water mark; the letters were "C.A. Marmion, N.Y., U.S.A." Thinking that this might prove important, he preserved it for future reference. He laid it upon his desk and a few days later he wrote and mailed the following letter:
"London, May 25, 18—.
"MR. C.A. MARMION, New York, U.S.A:
"Dear Sir: A few days since I received an express package containing fifty thousand pounds. The signature was to us unimportant, as we felt sure it was not the name of the writer, but your paper bears the imprint (water mark) of your name, and I concluded that you are interested in the matter, so I take the liberty of addressing you.
"Inclosed find an announcement we have made in many papers. The directors of the Bank of England have now received two thirds of the amount stolen April 11, 18—, and hereby announce that the persons who have the remainder of the stolen money, if they return it, will not be prosecuted.