"My God! Mike!" was all Charles could say, as he reached out his hand and dropped his hoe. "Yes, sir. I hope you will forgive me. I haven't the right to do all this, considering your wishes, sir, but I couldn't keep from it, sir. I saw you about a year ago in Madison Square in New York. You were with a friend, sir, and I dared not address you then, so I followed you and him." "My Lord! You were that fellow!" Charles laughed out of sheer relief in finding that his greater fears were ungrounded. "Yes, sir, and I stood watch over the house, hoping to see you alone, but you both got away that night, and--" "Thank God! Mike--I'm glad--rejoiced to see you!" and Charles affectionately wrung the hand that was in his. "How are the people at home?" "All well, sir--your brother, the missus and the little girl. She is always asking about you--can't seem to understand like--like--well, like the others." "I see," and a sudden chill passed over Charles at the thought now in his mind. "But, Mike, how did you happen to locate me? Surely they don't know at home that I am down here." "Oh no, sir! That was just my discovery, sir." "Your discovery?" "Yes. You see, I've been making rather frequent trips to New York to see my mother, and when I was there I was always on the lookout for you. You see, I didn't then know but what you and your friend might return from New Jersey and be hiding somewhere in New York. So a short time ago, sir, happening to be in Washington Square, who should I see but a man who looked so much like your friend that I determined to get a closer view. It turned out to be Mr. Mason, sir; but we were playing at cross-purposes, Mr. Charles, for he thought I was a plain-clothes detective. He had spotted me that time a year ago in Madison Square and, sir, your friend--he will do to trust--he shut up like a clam. He lied like a good fellow, sir. I don't know what he didn't tell me with as straight a face as a parson at a funeral. We had it up and down, sir, for quite a while, and him thinking every minute that I would show my badge, whistle for help, and take him in as a witness against you. Presently, however, he seemed to get tired of the tack we were on and made a bluff, sir. He got up and just as good as told me to mind my own business. He walked off, madlike, in a huff, as if he had had enough of me. But I couldn't let him depart so, Mr. Charles. I went after him again, and then he came back and we had it out. To make a long story short, I finally convinced him that I was your friend, sir. In fact, he said that you had honored me by mentioning me to him. It was the money, however, I think, that clinched the matter." "Money? Mason didn't accept money from you, did he?" Charles asked, in bewilderment.