“You’ll hear from me!” roared the landlord furiously, aiming a blow at Robert and leaving the room precipitately. “You’ll repent this day, see if you don’t!” After he had left the room Robert and his aunt looked at each other gravely. They had made an enemy out of a man who could turn them out of doors. The future looked far from bright. CHAPTER XXI THE HERMIT’S SECRET Mr. Jones, in his anger at Robert, regretted that he must wait four weeks before he could turn him and his aunt out of the house. It would be a great satisfaction to him to see the boy without a roof to shelter him, reduced to becoming a tramp or to take refuge in the poorhouse. “By George, I’ll humble the young beggar’s pride!” exclaimed Mr. Jones as he hastened homeward from his unsatisfactory interview. It must be admitted that Robert had not been exactly respectful, but, on the other hand, it is quite certain that the landlord had been rude and rough in manner and speech. Why, then, did not Mr. Jones foreclose the mortgage instantly and gratify his resentment? Because in the instrument there was a proviso requiring a notice of four weeks. However, he felt that it would make little difference. “They can’t raise the money in four weeks,” he reflected. “There’s nobody round here who will lend them the money, and they don’t know anybody anywhere else.” So, on the whole, he was satisfied. Four weeks would soon pass, and then his thirst for revenge would be sated. “What makes you so sober, my boy?” asked the hermit when Robert made his regular call upon him the next day. “I feel anxious,” answered the boy. “But why need you? You told me your uncle did very little for the family. I think you will be able to take care of your aunt. If not, I will help you more.” “Thank you, sir; you are very kind. But we thought when you called the other day that we owned the house and would have no rent to pay.” “Were you mistaken about this?” asked the hermit quickly. “It seems so. Mr. Jones, the tavern keeper, has a mortgage on the property and threatens to foreclose in four weeks unless the money is paid. Of course, we can’t pay him, and I suppose we shall be turned out.” “How large is this mortgage?” “Two hundred dollars.” “That is not a very great sum.” “It is very large to us. You know how poor we are.” “But have you no friend who will lend you the money?” “No, sir.” “Are you sure of that?” asked the hermit with a peculiar smile, which inspired new hope in Robert. Then, without waiting for a reply, the man continued: “If you are willing, I will pay this mortgage when the time comes, and I will be your creditor instead of Mr. Jones.” “How can I thank you?” exclaimed Robert joyfully. “My aunt will be delighted.” “Tell her then, but no one else. It will give Mr. Jones a surprise.” “It won’t be a pleasant one. He was very rude and impolite and said he hoped to see us in the poorhouse.”