Part 51 (1/2)
”And escaped.”
”Escaped!”
”Yes, and you know he did, for you met after that in the woods.”
”It is false!”
”No it isn't, Mr. Martin. He was too smart for you, and he got away.”
”Is he in Westville?” questioned Martin, anxiously.
”No; he is in New York.”
”When is he coming home?”
”Never, if I can prevent it,” returned Squire Paget, earnestly. ”He wrote to his mother, but I got the letter. She does not even know he is alive.”
”And he is in New York?” said Martin, looking suggestively at the squire.
”He is, Martin.”
”I might go down there----”
”That is what I thought.”
”I can go alone. Toglet is too chicken-hearted for this business. I know he wishes he was out of it. If he hadn't been in it from the start there would have been no failure.”
”Then go alone, but lose no time, for he may write more letters, and one of them may slip through my hands. Now he has disappeared, I do not wish him to be heard of again.”
”But he has a friend in New York.”
”I don't care for that. I do not wish his mother to hear from him, that is the whole point.”
”All right, squire. Give me time to get to the city and she'll never hear of her boy again. There will be no failure this time.”
The two talked the matter over for half an hour longer, and arranged all of their plans. Then Martin took the first train for the metropolis, and Squire Paget the last boat for Westville.
CHAPTER x.x.xV.
RALPH A PRISONER.
At the appointed time, Ralph called again upon Horace Kelsey, and was given instructions in regard to the work he would be called on to do.
”But you had better not start in until you hear from your mother,” said the insurance agent. ”She may wish you to pay a visit home before you settle down here.”
Ralph thought this good advice, and he resolved to act upon it.
”I ought to get a letter by to-morrow noon or night,” he said. ”And I will wait that long. If I don't get word, I'll take the trip home anyway, seeing as you say you will be kind enough to wait for me.”