"What brings you here, you, of all men? Have you come to taunt me, to upbraid me, to delight your eyes with the sight of my misery? Have you come to laugh at me in my downfall?"
"Nay, friend," returned the priest gently, "none of those things has brought me to you to-day. I come only on a mission of mercy, to bring you peace and pardon."
"But how did you find me; who sent you to me?" demanded the man by the fire.
"A little old woman, Nancy by name, told me there was one here sadly in need of the ministrations of a priest. I did not dream that I should find you."
"You know me then; you remember me?"
"I remember you perfectly and recognized you at once, though you have changed almost beyond recognition."
"You say you know me, but you do not, you do not. You may know who I am, but you don't know what I am. You don't know that I'm a thief. Yes, a thief, for it was I who took that money he was accused of stealing. Do you know that?"
"I know it," answered the priest calmly, "and still I say I bring you peace and pardon."
"Perhaps you know, too, that I am a murderer, for it was grief, heartbreak, which weakened him so that when disease attacked him he had not sufficient strength to combat the fever. Do you now that, you who talk to me so easily of peace and pardon?"
"I know that, too, and it is in his name that I offer you forgiveness for your sins."