What did I not owe to the glorious ruffian! Fortune and freedom! for it was evident that this secret passage into the Romani vault had been cunningly contrived by himself or his followers for their own private purposes.

Seldom has any man been more grateful to his best benefactor than I was to the famous thief upon whose grim head, as I knew, a price had been set for many months.

The poor wretch was in hiding.

Well! the authorities should get no aid from me, I resolved; even if I were to discover his whereabouts.

Why should I betray him?
He had unconsciously done more for me than my best friend.
Nay, what friends will you find at all in the world when you need substantial good?
Few, or none.