"See, I am as tall an' broad as thou art."
He went to an old chest and got a cap and drew it down upon his head, pushing his gray hair under it. Then he took from his pocket a red bandanna handkerchief, figured with a cabin, tying it over his face. He turned, looking at Trove through two square holes in the handkerchief.
"Behold the robber!" said he.
"You know who is the robber?" Trove inquired.
Darrel raised the handkerchief and flung it back upon his head.
"'Tis Roderick Darrel," said he, his hand now on the shoulder of the young man.
For a moment both stood looking into each other's eyes.
"What joke is this, my friend?" Trove whispered.
"I speak not lightly, boy. If where ye thought were honour an' good faith, there be only guilt an' shame, can ye believe in goodness?"
For his answer there were silence and the ticking of the clocks.