Can you forgive me?"
"I have nothing to forgive," I said.
"I would have spoken when I found you for what you are," said Mrs.
Knapp, "but I thought until the Livermore trip that you could serve me
best as you were doing."
"It was blind work," I said.
"It was blind enough for you, not for me. I was deceived in one thing,
however; I thought that you had no papers--nothing from Henry that
could help or hurt. The first night you came to us I had Henry's room
thoroughly searched."
"Oh, I was indebted to you for that attention," I exclaimed. "I gave
our friends of the other house the credit."
Mrs. Knapp smiled again.
"I thought it necessary. It was the chance that you did not sleep there
that night that kept this paper out of my hands weeks ago."
"I have always kept it with me," I said.
"I did not need it till Sunday," continued Mrs. Knapp. "I have been
worried much at the situation of the boy, but I did not dare go near
him. Henry and I decided that his hiding-place was not safe. We had
talked of moving him a few days before you came. When I found that
Henry had disappeared I was anxious to make the change, but I could not
venture to attempt it until the others were out of town, for I knew I
was watched. Then I was assured from Mother Borton that they did not
know where the boy was hidden, and I let the matter rest. But a few
days ago--on Saturday--she sent me word that she thought they had found
the place. Then it came to me to send you to Livermore with the other
boy--oh, I hope no harm came to the little fellow," she exclaimed
anxiously.
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