s, and them," he
said; "it ain't what you may call tidy, but if I lock you in no one
won't trouble you."

It was perfectly dark and the rags smelt unpleasantly, but Mr. Bultitude
was very glad of this second ark of refuge, even though he did bruise
his legs over the broom-handles; he was gladder still by-and-by, when he
heard a rapid heavy footfall outside, and a voice he knew only too
well, saying, "I want to see the station-master. Ha, there he is. Good
evening, station-master, you know me--Dr. Grimstone, of Crichton House.
I want you to assist me in a very unpleasant affair--the fact is, one of
my pupils has had the folly and wickedness to run away."

"You don't say so!" said the station-master.

"It's only too true, I'm sorry to say; he seemed happy and contented
enough, too; it's a black ungrateful business. But I must catch him, you
know; he must be about here somewhere, I feel sure. You don't happen to
have noticed a boy who looked as if he belonged to me? They can't tell
me at the booking-office."

How glad Paul was now he had made no inquiries of the station-master!

"No," said the latter, "I can't say I have, sir, but some of my men may
have come across him. I'll inquire--here, Ing, I want you; this
gentleman here has lost one of his boys, have you seen him?"

"What sort of a young gentleman was he to look at?" Paul heard Tommy's
voice ask.

"A bright intelligent-looking boy," said the Doctor, "medium height,
about thirteen, with auburn hair."

"No, I ain't seen no intelligent boys with median 'eight," said Tommy
slowly, "not leastways, to speak to positive. What might he 'ave on,
now, besides his oburn 'air?"

"Black cloth jacket, with a wide collar," was the answer; "grey
trousers, and a cloth cap with a leather peak."

"Oh," said Tommy, "then I see 'im."

"When--where?"

"'Bout arf an 'our since."

"Do you know where he is now?"

"Well," said Tommy, to Paul's intense horror, for he was listening,
quaking, to every word of this conversation, which was held just outside
his cupboard door.

"I dessay I could give a guess if I give my mind to it."

"Out with it, Ing, now, if you know; no tricks," said the
station-master, who had apparently just turned to go away. "Excuse me,
sir, but I've some matters in there to see after."

When he had gone, the Doctor said rather heatedly, "Come, you're keeping
something from me, I _will_ have it out of you. If I find you have
deceived me, I'll write t