"I have letters from the English captain and from the captain of my present ship testifying to my good character, and I trust Mr. Shephard may be willing to give me a trial before he prosecutes the case. I am willing he should hold it over me, and call it up whenever he has any reason to suspect I am playing the hypocrite," said Tom. The next morning, Mr. Woodhull and Ray accompanied him to Mr. Shephard's store. That gentleman listened in silence to the wanderer's story, until he concluded by counting down six hundred dollars on to the office table, saying, "That belongs to you, sir." Then Mr. Shephard said: "No, it doesn't. I got most of the goods back, and two hundred dollars will pay me for all my trouble and all costs." And he pushed four hundred dollars back toward Tom. "I much prefer for you to take it all," Tom said. "Not a cent more," replied Mr. Shephard, decisively. "What will you do about my prosecution, sir?" asked Tom, with some trace of anxiety. "I am willing to answer for my crime if it seems best to you." "Do you really mean that?" asked Mr. Shephard. "Yes, sir," replied Tom, stoutly. "I measured the cost when I came here. I might have sent you the money without coming in person. But I felt the only right thing to do was to come directly to you, and take the full consequences of my act. I have letters here from the two captains I have sailed with since I became a Christian, and I wish you might feel confidence enough in me to give me a fair trial. But I shall abide by your decision, only I would like to know the worst." "Well," said Mr. Shephard, after reading the letters, "this is what I shall do. I shall immediately take steps to have your case rendered _nolle prosequi_. And now"--with a merry twinkle in his eye--"I want you all to go home with me to dinner." As he shook hands heartily with Tom, he added: "I only hope the Lord has forgiven my sins as fully as I have forgiven you. I once caused Ray's arrest when he was innocent; I'll now settle the score with him by letting you who were guilty go free." And he marched them all off to dinner. Tom and Ray took an afternoon train for Wenton. George and the sisters welcomed the long-absent brother with joy and thankfulness when they learned that he too was a follower of Jesus. For the third time the wanderer told his story, and this time he disclosed an additional fact. "I have never united with Christ's Church," he said, "because I felt I could not properly do so until I had atoned as far as possible for my crime. But when I saw your chapel here, I thought with exultation, 'Now I can do so.' When, George, do you have your next preparatory meeting?" "In two weeks," answered George. "Mr. Carleton, of Afton, will come down at that time and remain over Sunday with us. We shall be glad to have you go forward with us then."