Rudolph took care to breakfast in good season the next morning. He felt that this day was to make his fortune. The deed which would entitle him to a life support was to be perpetrated on that day. He shuddered a little when he reflected that a life must be sacrificed, and that the life of the boy who had been for years under his guardianship, who had slept at his side, and borne with him the perils and privations of his adventurous career. He was a reckless
man, but he had never before shed blood, or at any rate taken the life of a human being.
What’s the odds?” he said to himself. “The boy’s got to die some time or other, and his dying now will make me comfortable for life. No more hungry tramps for me. I’ll settle down and be respectable. Eight hundred dollars a year will relieve me from all care.”
At a few minutes after nine Tony set out on his journey. It never occurred to him that the old Quaker in suit of sober drab, who sat on the piazza and saw him depart, was a man who cherished sinister designs upon him. In fact, he had forgotten all about him, and was intent upon his journey alone.
Take care of yourself, Tony,” said James.
Oh, yes, I’ll do that,” said Tony, little dreaming how necessary the admonition was likely to prove.
I may as well be starting, too,” thought Rudolph.
About two miles on began the woods. They extended for nearly a mile on either side of the road.
I’ll explore a little,” thought Rudolph. “I shall have plenty of time before the boy comes back.”
Some forty rods from the road on the right-hand side the tramp discovered a ruined hut, which had once belonged to a recluse who had for years lived apart from his kind. This had now fallen into decay.