ssary for him to go to
New York.

"Shall I tell mother, or not?" he asked himself.

On the whole, he thought it better not to do so. So far as he was
concerned, his mother was timid, and she would be anxious lest he should
incur the hostility of the two lawless men of whose crime he had come
into the knowledge. Yet he wanted to consult somebody, for he felt that
the matter was one of no little importance, and that he needed a man's
counsel.

"I'll speak to Uncle Obed about it," he said to himself. "He isn't used
to cities, to be sure, but he has had a long life, and must have
considerable experience. At any rate, he will be better qualified than I
to know what ought to be done."

He had scarcely come to this conclusion before he reached the cottage.

His mother, with a troubled expression of countenance, was sitting at
the table, not sewing or mending, as usual, but with her hands clasped
in her lap, while near her sat Uncle Obed, also looking sober.

"I am sure something has happened to Harry," she had just been saying.
"I never knew him to stay out so long without telling me."

"Boys will be boys," answered the old man, not knowing what else to say.
"He's gone off on some lark with some of his playmates."

"But he never does that without telling me, Mr. Wilkins. He's always so
considerate."

"He'll be coming home safe and sound, depend upon it," said Uncle Obed,
with a confidence greater than he actually felt.

"Perhaps he has fallen from a tree--he was always fond of climbing--and
broken his leg," suggested Mrs. Gilbert, dolefully.

"He's too smart for that," said Uncle Obed.

"What should I do if he never came home?" exclaimed the poor woman, with
a shudder.

Mr. Wilkins was hardly prepared to answer this question, and, luckily,
it was not necessary, for just then the latch was lifted and Harry
walked in.

"Didn't I tell you so?" said Uncle Obed, triumphantly.

"Oh, Harry, I'm so glad to see you! Where have you been so long?"

"It's lucky you came just as you did," said Mr. Wilkins. "Your mother
had made up her mind that you had met with an accident."

"I wanted to come home, but I couldn't," answered Harry. "I was in the
woods."

"Lost your way?" asked Uncle Obed.

"Not exactly. Two boys played a trick upon me."

Of course Harry had to explain what sort of a trick it was. Mrs. Gilbert
was very indignant, and denounced Philip and his confederate in no
sparing terms.

"You ought to go and