“I’ve taken him,� said Trench calmly; “open the door.�
“You’ve no one to care for him.� Dr. Cheyney eyed him keenly.
“No,� he replied; “so much the better, the place is lonely.�
“You know what they’ll say?�
The young man’s face stiffened. “What?�
“That he’s your child,� said the doctor.
“Open the door,� said Caleb Trench.
The doctor opened it, then Trench stood straight, Sammy’s tousled head on his shoulder.
“Dr. Cheyney,� he said sternly, “if every stone in Paradise Ridge rose up to accuse me, I’d still do as I pleased.�
William Cheyney smiled grimly. “I believe you would,� he said, “but let me tell you, Caleb, you’ve got your fate by the forelock now!�