living circle with the President in its midst, and
Rupert stood alone with him in it, with head bared, and with a letter in
his shaking hand.

"You are Rupert Odminton," said the President distinctly, after a long
searching gaze. "You have come with a noble purpose. What is it?"

Without answer, with blood beating a wild tattoo, the boy bowed his head
in acquiescence. He handed the President the letter. This the President
took, and opened and read. Then he did what the people will not soon
forget. He drew the son of his captor towards him, put his left hand
protectingly upon the lad's head, and with a ringing voice read the
letter aloud.

"Mr. President, and people of the United States:--I thought
myself a god, and know myself a felon. I, who meant to instruct
the people, have learned a lesson such as even death cannot
teach. I render to you my account. My son will show you in what
secret safe in the vessel is preserved the gold that I stole
from the Treasury. It belongs to the Country. There lack a
hundred and twenty thousand dollars. I hereby bequeath the boat
to the United States in payment for the balance I owe. It cost
much more, and is the fastest vessel in the world.
Re-christened, it may be of service in the approaching war; and
the stain upon it, which my soul tells me is indelible, may
fade. I give my son to you as hostage of my good faith.

"Mr. President, I am without a country. I have no citizenship in
the world. I beg you, if your kindness prompts you, to offer me
pardon, that my bones may rest upon the soil I love. My son
will guide such a messenger of forgiveness to me. Let him be
sent soon, if at all, for my crime scourges me so that I cannot
live.

"ODMINTON."

"He was no common man," said the Secretary of State, in a voice of great
feeling. "Mr. President, I suggest that the pardon be sent immediately.
I think he has suffered enough."

The President smiled benignly.

"Mr. Secretary," he said, turning to the head of the navy, "shall we
accept the yacht? I think the Treasury will find room for the gold. Can
the navy find room for Colonel Odminton's atonement?"

The eyes of the Secretary of the Navy glistened.

"With that vessel fixed into a torpedo boat, we can whip the world! I
shall put the youngster as middy aboard of her; he understands her
better than any one else. With your permission, Mr. P