"Yes--hypocrite," he said to himself, "I'll punch Ricos until he consents to making a clean breast of it."
But there was no need for resorting to this means of grace. Deliverance was coming, and, strange to say, through Ricos himself. Ricos had more food for remorse than Buttertub. His sister had written him from time to time of Jim's condition, and this morning he had received a letter which woke the pangs of conscience. Mr. Armstrong had thoughtlessly told Jim of Terwilliger's arrest, and the news had affected him very seriously. He could not sleep, and he could talk and think of nothing else. The physician feared that his reason would give way. He sent for Stacey, and his friend went to him immediately, but he could give him no encouragement, and his call only made Jim worse. As Stacey left the door he met Ricos.
"You had better not call on Armstrong to-day," Stacey said. "He is awfully sick. I shouldn't wonder if he died. He had an attack something like this last year, but the doctor pulled him through because there was nothing on his mind to worry him; but now everything seems to be in a snarl, and he isn't strong enough to bear it. You come back with me, seeing you ain't likely to do him any good."
"It is of needcessity," Ricos said. His face was white and scared. "Rosario, she write me that he will die, and if I see him not before, and assure myself that he carry no ill-will of me to the Paradiso, then my life shall be one Purgatorio. Indeed, I must see him; it is of great needcessity."
Mrs. Armstrong also hesitated when Ricos presented himself, but Jim heard his voice and called him eagerly.
"Ricos! Ricos! is it really you? Oh, I'm so glad!"
"Of a surety, it is I," Ricos replied. "I have come to ask your forgiveness. Alas! I am one miserable."
"I will forgive you, Ricos, if you will tell Colonel Grey all about it, so that Terwilliger need not go to prison. You know they have arrested him, and really it is he and Stacey who ought to forgive you, and not I at all."
"I do not comprehend of what you refer. I ask you to forgive me for your hurt----"
"But that is nothing! I am sorry that I beat you, Ricos. I wanted to win awfully, but I know now that you wanted the medal a great deal more than I did, and I'm so sorry Stacey did not run the best. Mother read me a verse that seemed just to be written for our games. I read it to Stacey and he said it would help him. Mother, please read it to Ricos, perhaps it will help him, too."