Mattie heard this strange declaration made by Hanz against her father
with feelings of sorrow and surprise. She hung down her head and
remained silent for some time, for her mind was bewildered with strange
and exciting thoughts. Then, looking up, she said:

"Cheer up, don't be sad, Father Hanz. You will always find a friend in
me. My father shall also be your friend. We are going to leave Nyack,
but I will come and see you, and be your friend. Don't think bad of my
father, and he shall yet be your friend." And she kissed Angeline and
Hanz and bid them good bye.

Mattie had never for a moment entertained the thought that her father
would knowingly wrong these old people. Her heart was too pure, her
nature too trusting, to entertain a suspicion of wrong. She had seen him
engaged in transactions she did not understand; she had seen him
associate with men she did not like, but she never enquired what his
motive for so doing was. How he became acquainted with, and what his
business with Topman and Gusher was, had been a mystery to her. The
object was clear enough to her now. The conversation she had overheard
one night between her father and Topman, relative to a meeting at Hanz's
house, and getting him to sign a paper purporting to sell them a secret,
was all explained. This conversation put a powerful weapon in her hand,
and if used skilfully she could save her father from trouble and also
protect old Hanz. Indeed, her mind ran back over a train of curious
circumstances, which now became clearer and clearer, and when linked
together discovered the object they were intended to effect. There was
no mistaking the motive. Still, like a true and loving daughter, she saw
her father only in the light of innocence and truth. The more she
contemplated the matter the more sincerely did she believe him an