On the table lay a letter and a small package.

The eyes of Mr.Stanner, a little abashed by the attitude of the two women, fastened upon it and glistened.
Josephine handed her husband the letter.

He opened it in breathless silence and read-- "JOHN HALE, "We owe you no return for voluntarily making yourself a champion of justice and pursuing us, except it was to offer you a fair field and no favor.

We didn't get that much from you, but accident brought us into your house and into your family, where we DID get it, and were fairly vanquished.

To the victors belong the spoils.