It was O’Gorman who first spoke.

“If you will assert, Mr. Hathaway, that the ambassador’s statement is correct, to the best of your knowledge and belief, I have the authority of our department to promise that the charge against you will promptly be dropped and withdrawn and that you will be adjudged innocent of any offense against the law.  It is true that you assisted a guilty person to escape punishment, and are therefore liable for what is called ‘misprision of treason,’ but we shall not press that, for, as I said before, we prefer, since no real harm has resulted, to allow the case to be filed without further publicity.  Do you admit the truth of the statements contained in this letter?”

“I believe them to be true,” said Mr. Hathaway, in a low voice.  Mary Louise was nestling close in his arms and now she raised her head tenderly to kiss his cheek.  She was not sobbing; she did not even appear to be humbled or heart-broken.  Perhaps she did not realize at the moment how gravely her father and mother had sinned against the laws of their country.  That realization might come to her later, but just now she was happy in the vindication of Gran’pa Jim—­a triumph that overshadowed all else.

“I’ll take this letter for our files,” said Officer O’Gorman, folding it carefully before placing it in his pocketbook.  “And now, sir, I hope you will permit me to congratulate you and to wish you many years of happiness with your granddaughter, who first won my admiration by her steadfast faith in your innocence.  She’s a good girl, is Mary Louise, and almost as clever as my Josie here.  Come, Nan; come, Agatha; let’s go back to Bigbee’s.  Our business here is finished.”

*** End of the project gutenberg EBOOK, Mary Louise ***

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