Part 24 (2/2)
”Mr. Wilkins is your uncle, isn't he?”
”He's a distant relation of ma's,” said Philip, reluctantly. ”We don't know much about him.”
”I suppose he's poor?” suggested Congreve, drily.
”Oh, dear, yes! He was a farmer or something out in Illinois. He probably pays a dollar or two a week board at Gilberts'. They're dreadfully poor, you know. I shouldn't be surprised if all hands were in the poorhouse before the year is out.”
”Your uncle and all?”
”He isn't my uncle!” said Philip, snappishly.
”Relative, then. You wouldn't want a relative in the poorhouse?”
”Pa offered to pay his expenses back to Illinois, but the old fellow was obstinate and wouldn't go. I expect he's hanging round here in hopes of getting something out of pa and ma; but it's no use, as he'll find out sooner or later.”
”Strange he went to board with the Gilberts, isn't it?”
”Oh, it's a good enough place for a rusty old chap like him. He ain't used to living in any style. Ma says he's half crazy.”
By this time they had reached the borders of the wood, and soon they came to the place where Harry had been left bound.
”Why, he isn't here!” exclaimed Philip, in surprise and disappointment.
”So it appears.”
”How could he have got away?”
James Congreve, bending over, searched carefully, and at length got some light on the subject.
”Somebody cut the cords,” he said. ”Look here--and here!” and he pointed out fragments of the strong cord with which the captive had been bound.
”That's so. Do you think he did it himself?” asked Philip, disappointed.
”No; he was too securely tied. I took care of that. Somebody came along and released him.”
”I hope he had to stay all night, at any rate,” said Philip.
”That we cannot discover at present. One thing is certain--he's free.”
”I'm sorry I came,” muttered Philip. ”I have had this long walk for nothing.”
”You haven't had the satisfaction of releasing him, I suppose, you mean?”
”No, I don't. I wanted to see how he looked. It's too bad he got away.”
”There's nothing for it but to go back,” said Congreve. ”You'd better look out for him. He may want to pay you off.”
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