ow when her father asked for it, she answered that Mike called him
Al something. Her father, generous in his salvation, was most solicitous
as to a fitting present; a thousand dollars, or perhaps two, or even
more, if Dixon advised so. What had he promised the lad? But there
were so many things to talk over and settle, and laugh about, and
congratulate each other upon. Good fortune was a generous dame. They
were all like children in their happiness. \ "Yes, Alan had been there,"
the girl answered to a question from her father. Also it was a strange
happening, a distortion of fate that Crane had beaten them in the
Brooklyn with Diablo, and now they had beaten his horse, The Dutchman,
with Lauzanne the Despised. All was content after the turmoil of
endeavor. And of the horses, Lauzanne, who would gallop for no one but
Allis, would be brought back to Ringwood, to be petted and spoiled
of his young mistress for the good he had done. Lucretia, when
convalescent, would also come to the farm to rest and get strong.

In the midst of it all Dr. Rathbone came in, and of course, man-like and
doctor-like, with pretended pomposity, said: "I told you so. What did
I say? Now Mrs. Porter, no more scolding over the ways of horses, a good
horse is a delight, and a good daughter a joy forever."

Dear old Dr. Rathbone, wise in his generation and big of heart!

XXXIX

At the bank down in the village--well, at nine o'clock Mortimer, feeling
the virtue of early effort, with the money of redemption in his pocket,
entered into the resumption of his duties. At the earliest moment after
the vault was opened he made his way to the box that contained
the Porter payment. One thing troubled him slightly. It was a
thousand-dollar bill that had been taken; the money he had to replace
was in hundreds and fifties. As he slipped them quietly into the box he
thought it wouldn't really matter; he would transfer the three thousand
to the account himself, and nobody would know of the change. Leaving the
box where it was for a little, in the way of subtle strategy, he came
out and busied himself over other matters.

To Mortimer's slight astonishment, presently the cashier, Mr. Lane,
came out from his office, and speaking somewhat carelessly, said: "Mr.
Mortimer, you have that Porter note and money in charge. It is due
today, isn't it?"

Looking up, Mortimer saw Lane's eye fixed upon his face with piercing
intensity. He flushed out of sheer nervou