He vanished from Warren's Grove, and not being very
far from Dover, worked his way across the Channel in a fishing-smack,
and once more, after an absence of ten years, trod his native shores.
Instantly he dropped his character as an Englishman, and became as
French as anyone about him. He walked to Caen, found out M. Dupois,
and was engaged on his farm. Thus he once more, in the most unlooked-for
manner, came directly across the paths of Cecile and Maurice.
But a further queer thing was to happen. Watts now calling himself
Anton, being better educated than his fellow-laborers, and having
always a wonderful power of impressing others with his absolute
honesty, was thought a highly desirable person by M. Dupois to
accompany his head-steward to Paris, and assist him in the sale of
the great loads of hay and corn. Cecile and Maurice did not know him
in the least. He was now dressed in the blouse of a French peasant,
and besides they had scarcely ever seen him at Warren's Grove.
But Anton, recognizing the children, thought about them day and
night. He considered it a wonderful piece of luck that had brought
these little pilgrims again across his path. He was an unscrupulous
man, he was a thief, he resolved that the children's money should be
his. He had, however, some difficulties to encounter. Watching them
closely, he saw that Cecile never paid for anything. That, on all
occasions, when a few sous were needed, Joe was appealed to, and from
Joe's pocket would the necessary sum be forthcoming.
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