t a waterman?"

"Yes, ma'am, I am."

She paused, looked earnestly at me for a little while, and then
continued, "How did you learn the air you whistled?"

"The young gentleman whistled it six or seven times last night before
you came. I tried it this morning coming up, as I thought it would be
the means of attracting your attention. Can I be of any service to you,
ma'am?"

"Service--yes, if I could be sure you were to be trusted--of the
greatest service. I am confined here--cannot send a letter--watched as
I move--only allowed the garden, and even watched while I walk here.
They are most of them in quest of the tin box to-day, or I should not be
able to talk to you so long." She looked round at the house anxiously,
and then said, "Stop here a minute, while I walk a little." She then
retreated, and paced up and down the garden walk. I still remained
under the wall, so as not to be perceived from the house. In about
three or four minutes she returned and said, "It would be very cruel--it
would be more than cruel--it would be very wicked of you to deceive me,
for I am very unfortunate and very unhappy." The tears started in her
eyes. "You do not look as if you would. What is your name?"

"Jacob Faithful, ma'am, and I will be true to my name, if you will put
your trust in me. I never deceived any one that I can recollect; and
I'm sure I would not you--now that I've seen you."

"Yes, but money will seduce everybody."

"Not me, ma'am. I've as much as I wish for."

"Well, then, I will trust you, and think you sent from heaven to my aid;
but how am I to see you? To-morrow my uncle will be back, and then I
shall not be able to speak to you one moment, and if seen to speak to
you, you will be laid in wait for, and perhaps shot."

"Well, ma'am," replied I, after a pause, "if you cannot speak, you can
write. You see that the bricks on the parapet are loose here. Put your
letter under this brick--I can take it away even in day-time, without
being noticed, and can put the answer in the same place, so that you can
secure it when you come out."

"How very clever! Good heavens, what an excellent idea!"

"Was the young gentleman hurt, ma'am, in the scuffle last night?"
inquired I.

"No, I believe not much, but I wish to know where he is, to write to
him; could you find out?" I told her where we had met him, and what had
passed. "That was Lady Auburn's," replied she; "he is often there--she
is our cousin b