Chapter 18 A Happy Ending at Last.
While all the excitement was going on inside the church, poor Miles was trapped outside.
He had lost Edward in the crowd earlier that morning.
He decided to wait until the crowd left so he could search more easily.
He knew that Edward would be somewhere nearby.
It was already late afternoon by the time Miles saw the king.
He could not believe his eyes.
It was his pauper.
Was that possible?
Miles looked at the group beside the king and noticed another boy.
But wait.
Was this boy his pauper?
The two boys were nearly identical.
Miles walked toward them in a daze.
He did not hear the guards call him.
He was too focused on this mystery.
He only stopped when a guard stood in front of him.
Stand back, the guard said.
King Edward looked over when he heard the guard speak.
Let him come to me, he said.
Sir Miles has every right to be here.
Your Majesty, Miles stuttered, you've found your crown.
Edward smiled.
Yes, thanks to you and your bravery.
Sorry, sir, Miles said.
I think I'm still in a bit of shock.
That's quite understandable, Edward replied.
Now that I have returned home and learned of all Tom's troubles convincing people of the truth I realize that my story must have seemed unbelievable.
I've been waiting for you to arrive.
I have a present for you.
Edward looked to the group of people standing nearby.
Sir Hugh, he called, come to me.
Miles's brother Hugh quickly walked to the king and knelt before him.
Yes, your majesty, he said.
Sir Hugh, I would like you to look at this man.
Do you recognize him?
Hugh turned around.
He gasped when he saw Miles.
Aye, no, sir.
This man is a fraud, I swear.
I know about all your crimes, Edward said.
I know that you stole your brother's rightful property.
Guards, take this man to prison.
Hugh cried as they dragged him away.
Not long after, there was yet another happy reunion as Tom rushed into his mother's arms.
He had so many stories to tell her.
And there was the happy news that the new king had given them a new home.
They would have clean clothes and honest work.
Mrs. Canty, Nan, and Bette laughed.
I always knew you were destined for great things, Mrs. Canty said.
It was very kind of King Edward to help us, Bette said.
Yes, he's very generous, Nan added.
Tom smiled at his family.
It's true, he said.
There's no one as kind and generous as our good King Edward.
And so we come to the end of our tale.
Hugh did not stay in jail for long.
Miles and Edith did not want him to suffer too much.
When he was released, Hugh decided to leave England and set out for America.
Edith divorced Hugh, and Miles and Edith were married shortly after he left.
The Cantys lived a happy and contented life in their new home.
Their grandmother passed away one night in her sleep, and Mr. Canty never reappeared.
Everything was quiet and comfortable for the rest of their days.
