to stop; but Percy wouldn't let me, and we kept on running,
and I began to cry. And just as I wanted to stop again we heard
somebody running after us, and I thought it was Mr Gaunt, but it
wasn't; it was one of the ugly men out of the ship; and he had a long
knife in his hand. So we ran faster, and then dear Percy fell down; but
I ran on, and the ugly man caught Percy, and--oh, mamma!" Here the poor
little creature's eyes filled with tears, and the frightened look
returned to them. "_Was_ it a dream, or did it really happen?"

"It really happened, dear," answered Henderson, who made a point of
never deceiving his child about anything; "it really happened; but never
mind; you are with us now, you know, and _quite_ safe, so lie down and
try to go to sleep. And do not trouble about dear Percy; we will have
him and his papa both safe back with us by to-morrow morning, please
God. What a horrible experience for the poor child--and what dreadful
news about those two!" he murmured to his wife as Lucille sank back and
closed her eyes again under the influence of the soothing draught he had
administered. "Fancy that poor little fellow Percy in the hands of
those fiends. Hark! is not that Manners' voice hailing outside? Stay
here with Lucille and hold her hand, it will soothe her, and I will go
and lower the ladder."

With that Henderson hurried away, leaving his wife to watch by the
bedside of their child, with a heart brimful of pity and sympathy for
her bereaved friend, and of unspeakable gratitude to God for the safety
of her own loved ones.

Arrived at the head of the staircase, Henderson approached the parapet,
and, leaning over, peered down into the gathering darkness.

"Is that you, Manners?" he asked, seeing a couple of figures standing
close underneath him.

"Ay, ay, sir; here we are," answered Manners for himself and his
companion. "Will you kindly lower the ladder, please, doctor?"

The ladder was lowered, and in another moment Nicholls made his
appearance above the parapet, closely followed by Manners, who
immediately hauled up the ladder after him.

"Well," questioned Henderson impatiently, seeing that neither of the men
evinced a disposition to speak; "well, what is the news?"

"The worst, sir; the very worst," answered Manners with unusual emotion.
"They've got both Mr Gaunt and little Percy; and, would you believe
it, sir? the devils have actually been ill-treating the poor little
fellow, just