than once for
consenting to help Marlowe in his plot. It has never been out of my
mind. I have been restless, unable to settle down anywhere, and have
suffered punishment myself, though not as severe as has fallen upon your
father. When I have made reparation, as I now have a chance to do, I
shall be more contented in mind."

"Can you be ready to take the evening train with me?"

"Yes."

"Where are you living?"

"In this house."

"Then we can remain together. I have not thanked you yet for coming to
my help, and saving my money."

"I am glad to have helped the son. It will help offset the injury I have
done the father."

Bert, accompanied by Ralph Harding, took the evening train for New York.
Their arrival was timely, for reasons which will be shown in a later
chapter.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

ALBERT MARLOWE MEETS HIS VICTIM.

Like most wrong-doers, Albert Marlowe had never ceased to entertain an
apprehension that his connections with the bond theft would some time be
made public. Yet, as the years rolled by, and he became rich and
prosperous, his fears abated somewhat, and he felt no qualms of
conscience, though he knew that an innocent man was suffering exile for
his sake. When he thought of John Barton it was with dislike. For
nothing is truer than the saying that we dislike those whom we have
injured. He did not know whether Barton was alive or dead, but hoped
that he was dead, as this would make him absolutely safe.

When he learned from Percy that Mrs. Barton had a male boarder, his
fears instantly suggested that it might be John Barton. The description
given by Percy tallied with his recollections of the victim of his
wicked plot. His fears and suspicions were instantly aroused. Why was
John Barton here? He was under the ban of the law, liable to be
re-arrested, yet he ran that risk. What object had he in view? That he
sought the care of his wife because he was ill did not seem a sufficient
motive. Evidently it behooved him to find out, first, whether Mrs.
Barton's boarder was really her husband; and, secondly, if such should
be the case, to warn him to leave Lakeville. It gave the squire an
uncomfortable feeling to have his victim so near at hand.

First, to find out who the boarder was. Albert Marlowe got into the
habit of walking two or three times a day past the cottage of Mrs.
Barton, in the hope of seeing the mysterious stranger. He did this for
several days, but did not succeed in his obj