Now it has been divided between my daughters, for, after their
mother's death, I realized that no life but brigandage was possible for
me. If I had not been captured I should have gone on as I was, I should go
on now, could I escape and resume my old life. I feel no remorse.
"But I confess to one regret. I have, all my life, requited every helper
and paid off every grudge. But one benefactor, my greatest benefactor, I
have not repaid, although, when I learned of his inestimable service to
me, I swore a great oath to requite him, if it ever was in my power. I
have never been able to learn who he was, or even whether he is yet
living. If he is, I hate to die without requiting him as he deserves, in
so far as I might.
"And I own that I was and am keenly curious to learn who he was. The mere
curiosity gnaws at me. Perhaps you understand."
"I do," I said. "I also am extremely curious about a mystery I encountered
in the earlier part of my adventures. That memory urges me to comply with
your request for the former half of my story."
And, beginning with my uncle's death, I narrated all my earlier
adventures. When I told of the cloaked and hatted horseman by the roadside
in the rain, the day of the brawl in Vediamnum and the affray near Villa
Satronia, he cut in with:
"That was my brother, Marcus.
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