“Please, you mustn’t get excited, dear Mr. Hermit,” she said. “I’ll tell you. Dad told me all about it before we found you. It’s all a terrible mistake. Every one knows you were a good man. Everyone wants to be friends with you. Only they thought you were dead.”
“I managed that.” His voice was sharp and eager. “I saw the other body in the river and the rest was easy.” He struggled for calmness and Norah held a glass of water to his lips.
“Please don’t get excited!” she begged.
“I won’t,” he smiled at her. “Tell me—does everyone know?”
“Everyone,” Norah nodded. There was a step behind her and a sudden light flashed into the Hermit’s eyes.
“Davy! Is it true? I am cleared?”
“Years ago, old man.” David Linton’s voice was husky. “All the world wants to make it up to you.”
“All the world—they’re only two!” the sick man said. “Do they know?”
“Yes.”
“Where are they?”