Why am I tied to this man?” he thought. “What chance is there of my ever being anything but a tramp while I stay with him?”
He had thought this before now, but the circumstances in which he now found himself placed made the feeling stronger. He had been often humiliated by being forced to beg from door to door, by the thought that he was a vagrant, and the companion of a vagrant, but he had not been urged to actual crime until now. He knew enough to be aware that he ran the risk of arrest and imprisonment if he obeyed Rudolph. On the other hand, if he refused he was sure of a beating.
What should he do?
It was certainly a difficult question to decide, and Tony debated it in his own mind for some time. Finally he came to a determination. Rudolph might beat him, but he would not be guilty of this treachery.
He felt better after he had come to this resolve, and, the burden being now off his mind, he composed himself to sleep.
He did not know how long he slept, but he had a troubled dream. He thought that in compliance with his companion’s order he rose and opened the door to him. While Rudolph was opening the farmer’s desk, he thought that heavy steps were heard and Abner and the farmer entered the room, provided with a lantern. He thought that Rudolph and himself were overpowered and bound. Just as he reached this part he awoke, and was reassured by hearing Abner’s heavy breathing.
I’m glad it’s a dream,” he thought, breathing a sigh of relief.
At this instant his attention was called by a noise upon the panes of the only window in the room.
He listened, and detected the cause.
Some one was throwing gravel stones against it.