CHAPTER XXV
CONCLUSION
The sheriff took one look.
"Let me have it, boy. That man is dying to see, and I warrant you he would rather gaze on this picture than on a stack of gold eagles ten feet high. It spells liberty to him!"
With that he hastened over and handed the print to the convict. One look Thaddeus gave, and then they saw his lips move, though no sound came forth. Perhaps he was giving thanks for the strange mercy that had been shown him.
"All of which goes to show that a good deed brings its reward. When Thaddeus held out a helping hand to that poor sick chap in the prison, and did some small thing to help him, he little suspected what his reward was going to be. But Fletcher must have learned why his friend was behind the bars, and in the end his only thought was to undo the wrong as much as possible," the sheriff said.
The man nodded, as he eagerly added:
"You have hit it right, sheriff; that was just what happened. I knew he told the truth, and when they refused to let me make a search I determined to risk everything to prove my claim; and to think that now I shall go free! Not only that, but my name will be cleared, and my family can hold up their heads again!"
"It's too bad that the State can't make some recompense for these years you have spent in prison, an innocent man; but you know that's impossible," said Mr. Dodd.
"Yes, I know it; but after all, it served me right, because I was leading a wild life just about that time, and all through drink. Never more for me! I've seen a light. When I get that big reward promised by the owner of that stolen collection I'm going to take care of my poor family. Andy, here, deserves an education and a chance in life. He wants to be a chauffeur, he says, and I'll see that he gets a place. But words can never tell you, boys, how much I'm indebted to you for all you've done for me!"