upon it gleamed one
of my rings, so loose that the wasted fingers could scarce retain it.

"My ring! So Richard gave you that," said I, with scorn I could not
conceal, even in the sick chamber.

"Yes," he murmured, "and he told me he would bring me straight back
before uncle got home, and he brought me here into this room, but Agnes
was not here. I could not find her. Then he locked the door and would not
let me out, and I have been hungry and cold. And when I cried, he would
kick me, and that made me sick, I think. Do take me home, uncle, before
he comes, and I will never go away again!"

CHAPTER XIX.

During this recital Mr. Bristed and I exchanged glances of horror. We
could not speak. When it was finished, he said:

"Agnes, order the coach. I must take him away from this place."

I felt that the boy was too feeble to move, but I dared not suggest it. I
too wanted him removed from the baneful influences of the house. We
proposed to carry him down on the pallet, and thus convey him to the
carriage. One hour or more elapsed before everything was in readiness.
While we were moving him Richard appeared, unannounced. A wild, unearthly
scream from Herbert first gave notice of his arrival.

"O uncle! Miss Reef! save me! He will beat me to death!"

His uncle endeavored to calm him with his assurance of protection, and,
turning to Richard, in a voice husky with emotion said:

"Look, this, is your work! If there is a God ruling the universe, your
punishment, though tardy, must be sure."

"I see nothing strange about it," said Richard, with an assumption of
indifference which made his handsome face look to me at that moment like
that of a Judas. "If he is my child, as you say, why should he not be
here? Who has a better right to him than I? The little imp professes to
dislike me, but that is some of your teaching, and I will soon cure him
of it."

"You cannot have him, Richard. He must go with me."

"I know my rights, and I will use them," he replied, excitedly. "Move
that boy at your peril;" and he clapped his hand upon his silver-mounted
pocket-pistol. He had evidently been drinking. His day at the race-course
had maddened him. He was in a dangerous mood to oppose. This Mr. Bristed
evidently saw, as I did, for he beckoned me to go out for assistance. As
I was moving toward the door for that purpose, Richard's eye lit upon me.

"Ah, ha!" shouted he, coming toward me. "So you are the one who has been
pry