ape from robbery, and,
perhaps, bodily injury, to you."

"I am glad we were at hand," said Philip.

"And now, my friend," said the farmer, "I may as well say that you
were quite mistaken in supposing I kept a large amount of money in this
lonely house. I should be a fool to do it, and I am not such a fool as
that."

"Where do you keep your money, then?" growled the tramp.

"In different savings-banks. I am ready to tell you, for it will do you
no good."

"I wish I'd known it sooner. I came here on a fool's errand."

"I am glad you have found it out."

"Now, what are you going to do with me!"

"Keep you here till I can deliver you into the hands of the law."

"That won't do you any good."

"It will give you a home, where you cannot prey on the community."

"I don't mean to do so any more. I'm going to turn over a new leaf and
become an honest man--that is, if you'll let me go."

"Your conversion is rather sudden. I haven't any faith in it."

"Listen to me," said the man, "and then decide. Do you think I am a
confirmed lawbreaker?"

"You look like it."

"Yes, I do; but I am not. Never in my life have I been confined in any
prison or penitentiary. I have never been arrested on any charge. I see
you don't believe me. Let me tell you how I came to be what I am: Two
years since I was a mechanic, tolerably well-to-do, owning a house with
a small mortgage upon it. It was burned to the ground one night. I built
another, but failed to insure it. Six months since, that, too, burned
down, and left me penniless and in debt. Under this last blow I lost all
courage. I left the town where I had long lived, and began a wandering
life. In other words, I became a tramp. Steadily I lost my self-respect
till I was content to live on such help as the charitable chose
to bestow on me. It was not until to-day that I formed the plan of
stealing. I heard in the village that you kept a large sum of money in
your house, and an evil temptation assailed me. I had become tired of
wandering, and determined to raise a sum which would enable me to live
at ease for a time, I should have succeeded but for these two boys."

"And you are sorry you did not succeed?"

"I was, five minutes since, but I feel differently now. I have been
saved from crime. Now, I have told you my story. Do with me as you
will."

The man's appearance was rough, but there was something in his tone
which led Mr. Lovett to think that he was speaking the truth.