coming," said Frank.

"I feared it also. I was about to start at twelve o'clock, when, to my
dismay, one of the men came home. He said he had the headache. I was
obliged to make him some tea and toast. He remained about till four
o'clock, when, to my relief, he went upstairs to lie down. I was afraid
some inquiry might be made about you, and your absence discovered,
especially as the rope was still hanging out of the window, and I was
unable to do anything more than cut off the lower end of it. When the
sick man retired to his bed I instantly left the house, fearing that the
return of some other of the band might prevent my escaping altogether."

"Suppose you had met one of them, Mrs. Parker?"

"I did. It was about half a mile from the house."

"Did he recognize you?"

"Yes. He asked in some surprise where I was going. I was obliged to
make up a story about our being out of sugar. He accepted it without
suspicion, and I kept on. I hope I shall be forgiven for the lie. I was
forced to it."

"You met no further trouble?"

"No."

"I must tell you of my adventure," said Frank.

"I came across the very man whom I most dreaded--the man who made me a
prisoner."

"Since he knows that you have escaped, he is probably on your track,"
said Mrs. Parker. "It will be hardly safe for you to go to Mr.
Wharton's."

"Why?"

"He will probably think you likely to go there, and be lying in wait
somewhere about."

"But I must go to Mr. Wharton," said Frank. "I must tell him this
story."

"It will be safer to write."

"The housekeeper, Mrs. Bradley, or John Wade, will get hold of the
letter and suppress it. I don't want to put them on their guard."

"You are right. It is necessary to be cautious."

"You see I am obliged to call on my grandfather, that is, on Mr.
Wharton."

"I can think of a better plan."

"What is it?"

"Go to a respectable lawyer. Tell him your story, and place your case
in his hands. He will write to your grandfather, inviting him to call at
his office on business of importance, without letting him know what
is the nature of it. You and I can be there to meet him, and tell our
story. In this way John Wade will know nothing, and learn nothing, of
your movements."

"That is good advice, Mrs. Parker, but there is one thing you have not
thought of," said our hero.

"What is that?"

"Lawyers charge a great deal for their services, and I have no money."

"You have what is as good a recommendatio