Part 63 (2/2)

Philips shook his head

”Then you see that the man whoht you were his friend?”

”Do you knoho I am?”

”Smithers & Co,” said Philips, wearily

”Well, let me tell you the plans of Smithers & Co are beyond your comprehension Whether they are friends to Potts or not, it seems that they are his creditors to an amount which it would be difficult for him to pay if they chose to deht of the eyes of Smithers, which blazed like two dark, fiery orbs as they were fastened upon him He shuddered

”I merely wished to show you the weakness of theelse?”

Philips looked up fearfully

”I have been in York, in Calcutta, and in Manilla: and I knohat Potts did in each place You look frightened You have every reason to be so

I knoas done at York I know that you were sent to Botany Bay

I know that you ran away from your father to India I know your life there I kno narrowly you escaped going on board the _Vishnu_, and being implicated in the Manilla murder Madman that you were, why did you not take your poor mother and fly from these wretches forever?”

Philips trembled from head to foot He said not a word, but bowed his head upon his knees and wept

”Where is she now?” said Smithers, sternly Philips mechanically raised his head, and pointed over toward Brandon Hall

”Is she confined against her will?”

Philips shook his head

”She stays, then, through love of you?”

Philips nodded

”Is any one else there?” said Se, sad voice, in which there was a faltering tone which Philips, in his fright, did not notice

”Miss Potts,” he said

”She is treated cruelly,” said Smithers ”They say she is a prisoner?”

Philips nodded

”Has she been sick?”

”Yes”

”How long?”