“Don’t let anyone tell you my father thought up that ghastly thing. He was in Weston’s power!” he was talking very faintly. “It was on account of some government fraud that Weston got my father, and he wanted blackmail. Father didn’t have it.
“Weston knew how Pete had once taken the blame for me in a gambling mess. That’s how he conceived the idea. And he threatened to expose father unless he would consent to that means and get my insurance money. It was all the money father could lay his hands on just then.
“I pleaded with father. It wasn’t any use. Weston had him and father was weak enough to be afraid. And the morning after I left for Montreal they lured Peter out there. He died for me. I’ve been almost crazy!”
We tried to soothe him but soon he closed his world-weary eyes!
We stood outside the cave in the dim, wet dawn. The sad affair was ended!
“The debts are all paid,” Brent said. “Now Leatherstocking Training Camp can start its career with a clean slate, eh Tommy?”
“Sure thing!” Tom replied.
The rain had stopped, and away in the east a glint of pink light streaked the far horizon. The odor of wet pine filled the air.
Like two vast curtains, the dark heavens parted slowly and the sun, like the true scout smile, came shining through!
FINIS