Part 7 (1/2)
”You will aid me?” shouted the old man, joyously. ”Heaven will bless you, sir--Heaven will bless you!”
”I have not said so--I have not said I would aid you,” Scotch hastily said. ”I am going to consider the matter--I'll think it over.”
”Then I have no hope.”
”Why not?”
”If your heart is not opened now, it will never open. My poor boy is lost, and I am ready for death!”
The old man seemed to break down and sob like a child, burying his face in his hands, his body shaking convulsively.
Frank made a quick gesture to the others, pressing a finger to his lips as a warning for silence.
In a moment the old man lifted his face, which seemed wet with tears.
”My last hope is gone!” he sighed. ”And you are travelers--you are rich!”
He turned to Frank, to whom, with an appealing gesture, he extended a hand that was shaking as if with the palsy.
”You--surely you will have sympathy with me! I can see by your face and your bearing that you are one of fortune's favorites--you are rich. A few dollars----”
”My dear man,” said Frank, quite calmly, ”I should be more than delighted to aid you, if you had told the truth.”
The old man fell back. He was standing fairly in the light which shone from the window.
”What do you mean?” he hoa.r.s.ely asked. ”Do you think I have been lying to you--do you fancy such a thing?”
”I fancy nothing; I know you have lied!”
”Frank!” cried Professor Scotch, in amazement.
”s.h.i.+mminy Gristmas!” gurgled Hans Dunnerwust, in a dazed way.
The manner of the old man changed in a twinkling.
”You are insolent, boy! You had better be careful!”
”Now you threaten,” laughed Frank. ”Well, I expected as much from a beggar, a fraud, and a scoundrel!”
Professor Scotch and Hans fell into each other's arms, overcome with excitement and wonder.
Frank was calm and deliberate, and he did not lift his voice above the tone used in ordinary conversation.
Still another step did the man fall back, and then a grating snarl broke from his lips, and he seemed overcome with rage. He leaned forward, hissing:
”You insulting puppy!”
”The truth must always seem like an insult to a scoundrel.”