surprise.

"It is so, and you know it," went on the squire, coldly.

"Why, he went over the cliff----"

"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 XXXV.

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."

Kelsey then asked him what he intended to do while waiting, and learning
Ralph had nothing in particular in view, he advised the boy to get a
guide-book of the city and walk about, so that he might become familiar
with the streets.

"The work I have for you will take you out more or less," he said. "And it
is a great he