Page:Cornelia Meigs--The island of Appledore.djvu/220

200 they are bringing in will be tried and I will have to testify. Every one will hear of it, will know how Johann Happs, of Appledore, let them tempt him, let them try to drive him,  nearly let them carry him away to fight for  Germany. Will any person ever trust me again, think you? When I wish to serve my country, my own country, and offer myself,  will they not say, ‘Ah, you are Johann Happs;  no, no, we take no such men as you.’ So I am  going away to lose myself, to change my name,  to be an American with no memory of what  my father was. Those men who are to be tried will be convicted anyway. Harvey Jarreth, Captain Saulsby, you, can all give evidence enough for that. There will be no need for Johann Happs, so he is going to vanish  forever.”

“I could stop you,” said Billy slowly. “I ought to stop you. Do you think I ought to, Johann?”

“I have been weak and a coward,” the other replied, “but somehow in this night I have  learned to be a man. Would you rob me of my chance to prove it? Will you not believe in me and let me go?”