"Yes, it is he!" decided Fitzgerald, and his heart was filled with gladness. As we know, the gladness had a selfish source, but he was certainly overjoyed to think that the boy was alive and well. Robert went through his usual act with his usual grace, and never suspected that his would-be murderer was looking on. When the performance was over, Fitzgerald lingered near the tents till he saw Robert come out. It was rather embarrassing to disclose himself to the boy, who had so nearly fallen a victim to his violence, but it must be done. "Robert! Robert Rudd!" he said, touching the boy on the arm. Robert turned, and his face became stern when he saw at his side the man who had tried to murder him. "You villain!" he said. "How have you the face to show yourself to me?" "Because," answered Fitzgerald, "I am prepared to make atonement for the injury I did you. No one can be more delighted to see you than I." "How can I trust you after what has passed?" asked Robert, suspiciously. "Don't trust me till I show myself worthy of trust. I am prepared to do more for you than any man living." "What do you mean?" "Suppose that I tell you who you are, that I restore you to your relatives, that I secure for you the inheritance of a large estate, would you consider that I am making atonement for my offence?" "Can you do this?" asked Robert, eagerly. "I can," answered Fitzgerald. "What are your terms, for I suppose that you do not work for nothing?" "I stipulate nothing. When I have succeeded and you come to your own I will trust to your generosity. If that seems strange to you, I don't mind telling you that I have a selfish motive. I wish to revenge myself upon the man who occupies your place, and whom you will disinherit." "Will you give me fuller information?" asked Robert. "Will you let me know who I am and how I came to lose my home?" "Yes; I am prepared to tell you all. Come to the hotel where I am staying, and after you have heard me we will concert together plans for reinstating you." CHAPTER XXXIV. THE MYSTERY OF ROBERT RUDD IS SOLVED. Hugo Richmond was in good spirits. All seemed working in his favor. He had got rid of Robert, the rightful heir, and escaped paying Fitzgerald the money he had agreed to pay him. Now his uncle, whose feeble hold on life had so long kept him from the coveted inheritance, seemed getting weaker and weaker every day. He was not positively sick, but he was sad and despondent; his appetite had failed, and he was more thin and shadowy than ever. The wicked nephew could hardly conceal his exultation as he looked on the feeble old man, and calculated how few weeks he probably had to live. "Yes," he said to himself, "Chestnutwood will soon be mine. And then—then I will take care to be repaid for the slavery of the last eight years." Old Mr. Richmond could not read the nephew's heart, nor did he suspect his baseness. He thought him sincerely devoted to his interests.