Then commenced a struggle between the man and boy. Tony knew what he had to expect, and he fought for dear life. Rudolph found that he had undertaken no light task, but he, too, was desperate. He succeeded at last in dragging Tony to the well-curb, and, raising him in his sinewy arms, he let him fall.
Then, without waiting to look down, he hurried out of the wood with all speed. He reached the hotel, settled his bill, and paid to have himself carried over to the nearest railroad station.
Not until he was fairly seated in the cars, and was rushing through the country at the rate of thirty miles an hour, did he pause to congratulate himself.
"Now for an easy life!" he ejaculated. "My fortune is made! I shall never have to work any more."
CHAPTER XXV. "I HOLD YOU TO THE BOND."
On reaching New York, Rudolph made his way at once to the shop from which he had obtained his Quaker dress.
"Has thee come back?" asked the old man, in a jocular tone.
"Yea, verily," answered Rudolph.