"It's possible. After all, Bob is cleverer than people sometimes think, and I see an explanation for Peters' vindictive pursuit: I'd stopped his trading with Rupert and refused him for a partner. Well, he paid, and Rupert paid, and I owe my escape to Bob." "You made reparation," said Flora gently. "I tried; when I was found out. It was rather late then, and Bob carried much of the load. But I did not get off free. I spent days of torment, thinking about what you must bear, before I resigned myself to coming home, broken in body, to be a burden to you." Flora's eyes shone. "Oh, my dear! You have come home and that's all that matters. Besides, you'll get well in England; your strength will return." "It may be long," said Wyndham quietly. "I cannot grumble for myself; I'm thinking about Bob. It looks as if he must carry my load and his, but he won't growl. He's strong and his pluck's unbreakable. Pluck and honesty like Bob's are worth more than talent." He paused, and smiled when he resumed: "Well, while I try not to lose patience, waiting, and wondering whether I'll be fit to work again, he'll build a new Wyndhams' on a surer foundation than I could have laid. I can see him, stopping now and then with his puzzled look, but not stopping long. Bob's way is to go on, straight and steadfastly." "We owe him much," said Flora. "Your debt is mine." Then there were steps in the passage and the others came in. Mabel blushed when she saw Flora's smile. "After all, it looks as if music did bore Bob," Flora remarked. "We didn't hear you playing long." "We talked," said Mabel, with a frank glance. "There was much to talk about and all was rather wonderful. Perhaps this looks extravagant, but I don't think it is." "Hold fast to your persuasion," said Flora gently. "It will take you far. Love conquers many doubts and troubles." "Mabel's troubles ought not to be numerous," Wyndham interposed. "She is going to marry my partner; the best man I know." Marston's face got red, but Mabel laughed, a soft, happy laugh. "I really think Bob stands alone," she said. "He's like nobody else and I'm sure there's nobody like him." THE END Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the original edition have been corrected. In Part I, Chapter VIII, "They are _bete_, the _Mestizos_" was changed to "They are _bête_, the _Mestizos_". In Part I, Chapter IX, a period was changed to a comma after "if the goods are his or the other's". In Part I, Chapter X, a period was changed to a comma after "let your imagination carry you away". In Part I, Chapter XI, periods were changed to commas after "satisfied in one way" and "Harry's business standing". In Part II, Chapter I, a period was changed to a comma after "your next balance sheet won't be good".