s."

"If you had lived a decent life it would have been safe for you
anywhere, George Williamson," said Jack.

"Sh! not a word! they don't know me and I don't want them to," cautioned
the man, looking anxiously about him. "What you say may be true but it's
too late now. Don't you feel sorry for your father, Jack?"

"You are not my father and I wish that neither my mother nor I had ever
seen you. You made her life miserable, wasted the money my father had
left her, ill-treated and abused her and then showed yourself what you
were, a burglar and thief! Is it any wonder that my mother should want
to take her first husband's name again when we moved as far away as we
could from the scene of your evil deeds?"

"Maybe not," said the other carelessly. "Have you any money, Jack? I
would like to have some to get me to the nearest seaport town."

"You said you were going west."

"Well, to some good and far away town, then. That will do."

"I have very little money with me but I could get it if I thought you
would go away never to see my mother again. There is little use in
asking you to promise for you have promised before."

"I saw you this time only by accident, Jack," replied the man. "Never
mind. I will go so far away this time that you will never see me. So
you would help me, would you?" with an odd smile.

"Only to keep you away from my mother," Jack answered. "You never did me
any good and I have no reason to like you. If I helped you it would be
for my mother's sake alone."

"And you are a prisoner here, so that you will not be able to pass the
examinations?" asked the other carelessly.

"Yes, so it seems, but I do not mean to be kept here."

"You can get away now, Jack, if you wish it," said the other in a low
tone. "I'll do that much for you for all that you don't do things for me
on my own account. Do you wish to leave here?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then I will help you get away, will go with you till everything is
safe. Maybe I did not treat your mother right, Jack. Never mind that
now. I can help you and I will. Come, there is no time like the
present."

The two stepped to the door when one of the rough fellows said, putting
himself in the way:

"Here, Mister, you can go if you like but not the boy. We've got orders
to keep him here."

"And I have a notion to take him away with me and if you oppose me it
will be the worst for you."

The man attempted to argue the point and was promptly knocked down.