hut up there?"

"Yes, it is. I've been here three or four days, and it seems as many
weeks. Don't you think you could help me to escape?" asked Jasper, in a
lower tone.

The girl looked frightened.

"I wouldn't dare to," she said.

"Wouldn't you, if you were sure your uncle wouldn't find out?"

"Yes, I would," she answered, heartily.

"Don't you think you could manage it?" asked Jasper, eagerly.

"I don't know. I wish I could," she answered, with evident sincerity.

"Nancy!" called the old man's voice from below, sharply, "hasn't that
boy got through yet?"

"Coming, uncle," she answered.

"I'll speak with you again when I bring up your supper," she said, as
she hurried down stairs.

She left Jasper eager and excited. At last he had made a friend in the
camp of his enemies, and there was hope ahead.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

ESCAPE.

Jasper waited impatiently for supper-time, not that he was hungry, for
excitement had taken away his appetite, but because he was feverish with
anxiety as to his prospects of release.

"Suppose the old man should suspect her and come up with the supper
himself," he thought, anxiously.

But his anxiety proved groundless.

A little after five the door was opened and disclosed the young girl,
Nancy. His face lighted up joyfully.

"I'm glad it's you, Nancy," he said. "I was afraid I should see your
uncle. Does he suspect anything?"

"No; he scolded me for allowing you so long to eat your dinner, that's
all."

"I'll take it off the plate and eat afterward. Now, I want to talk a
little. Have you found out any way to help me?"

"I don't know. Do you think you could get out of this window?"

Jasper looked at the aperture critically.

"Yes, I think I could," he said, after a pause, "with some one on the
other side to pull me through."

"I'll do that," said Nancy.

"You will? You're a trump! What am I to do afterward? Can you help me to
leave the house?"

"That's what I've been thinking," said Nancy. "I'm afraid it wouldn't do
to let you out at the front door. It's locked and bolted, and the bolt
squeaks. I've tried it to see."

"The windows?" suggested Jasper, anxiously.

"No, I am afraid not."

"Then if I can't leave the house, it's no use to get out of this room."

"Yes, there's another way out, but it requires courage."

"I'm not a coward," said Jasper.

"No, you don't look like it," said Nancy, who was more favorably
disposed toward Jasper on account of