A sudden change had come over the man. At sight of the pearls which plainly established his guilt, his arrogance departed. He gazed contritely upon his foster mother. Madge instantly divined that he hoped to appeal to her sympathies.
“I would never have touched your pearls only I’m in such desperate need,” he whined. “I can’t find work. Why, I haven’t had a decent meal in weeks. I’m down and out while you have this fine home—everything.”
He made a rather appealing figure as he stood there pleading his case. Madge and Cara exchanged uneasy glances. Would Miss Swenster give in to him as she had in the past?
The old lady seemed to waver. Her face softened, then tightened again.
“Don’t try your old tactics,” she said sternly. “I notice that you have good clothing and you had money enough to stay at the Grand Hotel. However, I’ll be generous. If you care to make your home here you are free to do so.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You think I’d stay in this one-horse town? Not on your life! You must furnish me with money to live in Chicago or New York.”
“You’ll not get another cent from me—ever!”
John Swenster shrugged his shoulders.
“O.K. Then I’ll be ambling along.”