"It has also been a secret that has accused me every time I thought of your father and of you. I could not bear to think I had sent an innocent person to prison, and a part of my severity to you has grown out of the fact that if you were proved to be of a thievish disposition it would seem to substantiate, in a measure at least, your father’s guilt. It was at least quieting to my conscience to have it prove so, and for this I doubtless have too strongly worked against you. "So I say, only prove your statements, and instead of your enemy I am your friend, and I pledge you that I will try to undo all the wrong I have done your father and yourself," and there was an earnestness and sincerity in his tones that convinced Budd that he meant just what he said. "Mr. Johnson," he exclaimed, "get your hat and come with me." "Where?" he asked. "Down to your dock. My sloop, the Sea Witch, is there, and on board are the five burglars, their booty from the store and from your house, guarded by Mr. Avery, the constable, and my partner, Judd Floyd." Mr. Johnson looked at the lad for an instant as though he doubted his sanity; then he led the way into the hall, took his hat and a stout cane from the rack, and replied: "I’m ready." As they walked down to the wharf, Budd rapidly related the principal events connected with the finding and capture of the burglars, and exhibited his own lacerated wrists as proof of the part he had borne in the affair. "I’m just astonished! I’m just astonished!" was Mr. Johnson’s ejaculation during this recital. They reached the sloop, and Mr. Johnson looked with his own eyes upon Bagsley and his confederates. He even overhauled and identified much among their traps as having been taken from his house. He then had Mr. Avery and the lads recount to him again the whole story of the robbers’ capture. He also listened respectfully to Mr. Avery’s suggestion that he should come over to the village, and identifying there his property, swear out a warrant against the men, that a double charge might be sustained against them. "I will do it," he replied. "I will come over immediately." He spoke to Bagsley, expressing regret at having found him such a criminal, but received only curses in return. At length he seemed to be satisfied with his own investigations, and with the story he had heard. Laying his hand on Budd’s head he said, solemnly: "I never meant to wrong you at all, my dear lad. I never meant to send your innocent father, for I feel instinctively now he is innocent, to prison. I never meant to hasten your invalid mother’s death. Tell me you forgive me, lad, for unless you do I can never forgive myself." Tears streamed down Budd’s cheeks, and with them went much of the anger he had cherished toward the speaker.