n Tish's spare room with hysteria, and Tish had
gone to bed with tea and toast, Charlie Sands was still walking up and
down the parlor, stopping now and then to mutter: "Well, I'll be----"
and then going on with his pacing.

Hannah brought me a cup of junket at eight o'clock, for none of us had
eaten dinner. I was sitting there with the cup in my lap when the
doorbell rang. Charlie Sands answered it. It was a letter addressed to
all three of us.

We called Tish and Aggie and they crept in, very subdued and pallid.
Charlie Sands opened the letter and read it:

_Dear and Charming Ladies:_ I am abject. What can I say to you, who have
just come through such an experience on my account? How can I apologize
or explain? Especially as I am confused myself as to what really
happened. Did Muldoon actually attack the cave? Were you in it when he
arrived? Or is it possible that, with my foolish fabrication in your
mind, you attempted---- But that is absurd, of course.

Whatever occurred and however it occurred, I am on my knees to you all.
Even a real bandit would have been touched by your kindness. And I am
not a real bandit any more than I am a real sheriff.

I am, an ordinary citizen, usually a law-abiding citizen. But as a
result of a foolish wager at my club, brought about by the ease with
which numerous trains have been robbed recently, I undertook to hold up
a C. & L. train with an empty revolver, and to evade capture for a
certain length of time. The first part was successful. The train
messenger, on seeing my gun, handed me, without a word, a fat package. I
had not asked for it. It was a gift. I do not even now know what is in
it. The newspapers say it is money. It might have been eggs, as far as I
know. The second part would have been simple also, had I not hurt my
leg.

Things were looking serious for me when you found me. I shall never
forget the cave, or the omelets, or the tea, or the fudge. I can never
return your hospitalities, but one thing I can do.

The express company offers a reward of a thousand dollars for my little
package. Probably they are right and it is not eggs. Whatever it is, it
is buried under the tree where we tied our noble steed, Modestine.
Please return the package and claim the reward. If you have scruples
against taking it remember that the express company is rich and the Fiji
Islanders needy. Turn it in as the increased increment on Miss Aggie's
missionary dime.