"Then my mission to this house is ended," said the stranger, sighing involuntarily. "Accept from me this little Prayer Book as a souvenir; as often as thou dost read it thou wilt find consolation. On its cover is the name of that lady whom thou must not forget."
The old man pressed the little book to his lips and concealed it in his coffer.
"And I, what shall I give, what can I give to you, my spiritual benefactor, and, after God, my regenerator, as a token of my gratitude; what can I give you, I say?"
The stranger hastily replied:
"If I might be so bold as to ask for something, give me the half of thy treasures, the little embroidered baby's cap."
For a moment the headsman was overpowered with astonishment, then he quickly undid once more the little bundle of clothes, drew forth, the pearl-trimmed cap, regarded it steadily, and a tear fell from his eye as he did so, then he kissed it, and handed it to the stranger without a word.
"If thou dost find it so hard to part with it I will not take it."
"Nay, it will be well disposed of," whispered the old man, and he pressed it into the hand of the youth, who thrust the little relic into his bosom.
"And now God be with thee, and go and lie down, for it is late. As for me, I have a long journey to make ."
The headsman would have gone with him to help him to saddle his horse, but the stranger restrained him.