He wondered that he had
not hit upon the explanation before it was flung in his face, as may be
said.
By the time Mrs. Warmore had added her account to that of her husband, Tom
had regained mastery of himself.
"And who was the lad that did all this?" he asked in the most innocent
manner conceivable.
"That is the one feature about the affair that has always troubled me,"
said the merchant. "I have tried to find out, but have never been able to
gain the first clew to his identity. Mrs. Warmore was so frantic in mind
that she did not think of the noble rescuer until he was gone. Then she
made inquiries, but no one seemed to know anything about him."
"It distressed me," added the lady; "for I felt he must think we were
ungrateful. We advertised in the papers, but it was useless. I do not
suppose we shall ever know who he was."
"He may have been some poor boy in need of help," added Mr. Warmore; "but
so brave a lad as that is sure to get along."
"I presume _you_ remember the incident?" remarked Tom, turning toward the
daughter.
"How can I ever forget it?" she asked in reply, with a shiver.
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