As the man related his story, his former master listened with a grave face.
"I'm sorry to hear this of you, William," he said at length. "I couldn't have believed it possible. I suppose you are aware that you ran the risk of being sent to penal servitude?"
"Oh yes, that I did, sir," was the answer. "But don't give me up. Let me have another chance."
"As you returned the papers, I'm inclined to deal leniently with you," said Mr. Ormond. "I hope this may be a lesson to you to keep out of crooked ways for the future. You have a brother in the north of England, I believe? Go to him, and see if he can help you to get work away from your old surroundings. I'll lend you money for your railway fare."
Cole tried to express his thanks, but Mr. Ormond cut him short with another warning to keep to straight paths in future. This, to give the man his due, he succeeded in doing, and a few months later was able to return the sum advanced for his railway ticket.
There were no more mysteries in connection with Uncle Roger's box, while Elsie so far recovered her nerves that she soon learned to gallop round the field when the promised pony came next spring.
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE The following two changes have been made and can be identifiedin the body of the text by a grey dotted underline: | |
| He put on the brake, and jumped of his machine | He put on the brake, and jumped off his machine |
| but is seemed simple and easy enough | but it seemed simple and easy enough |