expected to find you out here. What brings you here?"

"I came here on business," said Jasper.

"So you are a man of business, are you?" sneered the burglar.

"I am in the employ of Herman Fitch, of St. Louis."

"The father of the boy that Dick kidnapped?"

"Yes."

"Did he send you out here?"

"Yes."

"What for?"

"On a little matter of business," said Jasper, with reserve.

"Oh, that's it. Well, you didn't expect the pleasure of seeing me, did
you?"

"I don't consider it a pleasure," said Jasper, boldly.

"Ha! you are a bold boy."

"I speak the truth."

"Well, it isn't always best to speak the truth," said Jack, frowning.

"Shall I lie to you, then?"

"Don't be impudent."

"I shan't say I am glad to see you when I am not."

"Perhaps you are right, boy. You will have no reason to be glad to see
me. Follow me."

"I would rather not."

"Follow me, or I will drive this knife into you!" said Jack, savagely,
displaying a murderous-looking weapon which he carried in his girdle.

Resistance would have been unavailing and dangerous, and Jasper obeyed,
resolved, however, to escape at the first opportunity.

Jack led the way into the woods, not far, however, and finally paused
under a large tree.

"Sit down," he said, imperiously.

He threw himself down on the green sward, and Jasper, not very
comfortable in mind, sat down near him.

"Now, young fellow," said Jack, "I've got some questions to ask you."

"I suppose he is going to ask me about my escape," thought Jasper, and
he was right.

"How did you get away from that room where you were locked up?"

"I got out of the sliding-door," said Jasper.

"How did you get out of the house? Did the old man help you?"

"No," said Jasper.

"Did you go out through the front door?"

"No."

"Don't keep me asking questions," said Jack, harshly. "How did you get
out, then?"

"Through the door in the roof. From there I got in through the window
into a room in the next house."

"Ha!" said Jack. "I never thought of that. Did you have any trouble with
the people there?"

"No; I got into the room of a German, who let me spend the night with
him and take breakfast."

"So, that's the way you managed it?"

"Yes."

Jasper felt relieved that no question had been asked him as to Nancy's
agency in effecting his release. He would not have betrayed her, at any
rate, but his refusal to speak might have incensed Jack.

"Well," he said, "so much for that.