Tony was not the only witness of the spectacle. Casting his eyes toward the window he was startled by seeing a dark, sinister face, pressed against the pane, almost devouring the old man and his gold.
It was a face he well knew, and he trembled not alone for Ben, but for himself.
It was the face of Rudolph, the tramp.
CHAPTER X. THE TRAMP'S UNEXPECTED DEFEAT.
"Has Rudolph tracked me, or is it only accident that has brought him here?"
This was the thought which naturally suggested itself to our hero, as in a very disturbed state of mind he stared at Rudolph through the uncertain light.
He decided that it was accident, for as yet the tramp did not appear to have discovered him. His eyes were fastened upon old Ben with unmistakable cupidity. It was the gold that attracted him, and between him and the possession of the gold it seemed as if there were no obstacle to intervene. What was the old man's feeble strength, more feeble still through disease, against this powerful man?
Tony felt the difficulties of the position. Not only would the gold be taken, but as soon as Rudolph discovered him, as he would, he too would fall into the power of the tramp.