The old couple had a grandson aged seventeen. This boy,
thin and ragged as he was, had a face full of fun and mischief. "He
picks up odd jobs, and so we manage to live," said the old woman to
Joe.
Both she and her husband were glad to take the children in, and
promised to make them comfortable--which they did, after a fashion.
"We can stay here one night. We shall be quite rested and able to go
on down south to-morrow, Joe," said Cecile.
And Joe nodded, inwardly resolving that one night in such quarters
should be all they should spend. For he felt that though of course
Anton knew nothing about the existence of the purse, yet, that had it
been known, it would not be long in Cecile's possession were she to
remain there.
Poor Joe! he little guessed that Anton had heard and understood
every word of Cecile's English, and was making up his mind just as
firmly as Joe. His intention was that not one of that little band
should leave the purlieus of the Cite until that purse with its
precious contents was his.
The old couple, however, were really both simple and honest. They
had no accommodation that night for Anton; consequently, for that
first night Cecile's treasure was tolerably free from danger.
And now occurred that event which I must consider the direct
intervention of the Guide Jesus on Cecile's behalf. This event was
nothing more nor less than a dream. Now anyone may dream. Of all the
common and unimportant things under the sun, dreams in our present
day rank as the commonest, the most unimportant.
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