l tell you," went on the man.
"I guess I'll not take any chances though. I'll tie you in bed, and
you can listen then."

It did not take him long, in Roy's weakened condition, to fasten the
boy securely in the bed, by means of ropes which he took from the
cupboard.

"There," remarked Mr. Wakely when he had finished. "I think you'll
stay there for a while. Now listen. You have been brought here for a
certain purpose. I can't tell you just what it is, but, if you behave
yourself, no harm will come to you."

[Illustration: "I think you'll stay there for a while," said Wakely]

"But what right have you got to bring me here?"

"Never mind about that. You're here, and you're going to stay."

"I'll call for help, as soon as I'm able."

"And a lot of good it will do you. You are on the top floor of a
tenement house, and there are no tenants except on the first floor.
You can yell until you are hoarse, for there is a big electric light
plant near here. It runs night and day and it makes so much noise
constantly that all the yelling you can do won't be heard above it.
Besides, if the tenants should happen to hear you yelling, they'll pay
no attention to you, for you are supposed to be crazy. I told 'em so.
Now you see how helpless you are."

Roy felt stunned. Why had this man gotten him in his power?

"But I can't see what you want of me," went on Roy weakly. "If it's
money, why take what I have, if you mean to rob me."

"No. I'm not going to rob you."

"Then are you kidnapping me, and holding me for a ransom?" Roy had
read of such things.

"Not much! Kidnapping isn't in my line. I am acting under orders for
a friend of mine. He wants you kept out of the way for a while, and
I'm going to do it.

"Now understand. I'm on guard here, or in the next room all the while.
If I'm not there some one else will be. If you try to escape it will
go hard with you. If you behave you'll be well taken care of, and fed.
In a short time--that is, in a week or so--you will be allowed to go.
Now, if you'll promise to lie quietly, I'll take off the ropes."

"I'll not promise you anything!"

"Very well, then you stay tied up. I'm going out for a few minutes,
but you needn't think you can escape."

The man left, locking the door. As soon as he was gone Roy tried to
loosen the bonds, but they were tied too tightly, and he was too weak
to accomplish anything.

"I wonder what his object is?" thought the boy from t