"It is a mercy to know the young gentleman was innocent. Ah! how he fretted! Telling you, Raff, that his crime was like unto murder. It was sending the wrong physic he meant. Crime indeed! why our own Gretel might have done that! Like enough the poor young gentleman heard that the man was dead--that's why he ran, mynheer. He said, you know, Raff, that he never could come back to Holland again, unless"--she hesitated--"ah, your honor, ten years is a dreary time to be waiting to hear from----" "Hist, vrouw!" said Raff sharply. "Waiting to hear," groaned the doctor, "and I, like a fool, sitting stubbornly at home, thinking he had abandoned me. I never dreamed, Brinker, that the boy had discovered the mistake. I believed it was youthful folly--ingratitude--love of adventure, that sent him away. My poor, poor Laurens!" "But you know all, now, mynheer," whispered Hans. "You know he was innocent of wrong, that he loved you and his dead mother. We will find him. You shall see him again, dear meester." "God bless you!" said Dr. Boekman, seizing the boy's hand, "it may be as you say. I shall try--I shall try--and, Brinker, if ever the faintest gleam of recollection concerning him should come to you, you will send me word at once?" "Indeed we will!" cried all but Hans, whose silent promise would have satisfied the doctor even had the others not spoken. "Your boy's eyes," he said, turning to Dame Brinker, "are strangely like my son's. The first time I met him it seemed that Laurens himself was looking at me." "Aye, mynheer," replied the mother proudly. "I have marked that you were much drawn to the child." For a few moments the meester seemed lost in thought; then, arousing himself, he spoke in a new voice: "Forgive me, Raff Brinker, for this tumult. Do not feel distressed on my account. I leave your house to-day a happier man than I have been for many a long year. Shall I take the watch?" "Certain you must, mynheer. It was your son's wish." "Even so," responded the doctor--regarding his treasure with a queer frown, for his face could not throw off its bad habits in an hour--"even so. And, now, I must be gone. No medicine is needed by my patient; only peace and cheerfulness, and both are here in plenty. Heaven bless you, my good friends! I shall ever be grateful to you." "May Heaven bless you, too, mynheer, and may you soon find the dear young gentleman," said Dame Brinker earnestly, after hurriedly wiping her eyes upon the corner of her apron. Raff uttered a hearty "Amen!" and Gretel threw such a wistful, eager glance at the doctor, that he patted her head as he turned to leave the cottage. Hans went out also. "When I can serve you, mynheer, I am ready." "Very well, boy," replied Dr. Boekman with peculiar mildness. "Tell them, within, to say nothing of what has just passed. Meantime, Hans, when you are with your father, watch his mood. You have tact. At any moment he may suddenly be able to tell us more." "Trust me for that, mynheer."