Page:Margaret sherwood--The Princess Pourquoi.djvu/220

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

THE GENTLE ROBBER

dren, and"—So great was his horror of the tales that flocked to his tongue that he failed to speak them, but a light as from the wings of the Angel of Judgment shone from his eyes and brow.

"The question is not, 'Shall I take thy purse?’" the Chief said gently. "I have it. The question is, 'How shall I dispose of it to the best advantage?’"

"It is n't that! I do not want the purse," said the young man scornfully; "but how canst thou traffic in crime?"

"I have little time for talking," said the Gentle Robber, with a hurt look on his face; he was extremely sensitive to adverse criticism. "Now I must be off. This great bag of gold is for the orphan hospital at the Abbey. If I may mention it

192