n ill, and has sent for you.'

"'Papa ill!' I cried. 'Oh, I must go home to him at once'

"'I have taken the liberty of facilitating that,' said Mr. Baxter, 'by
ordering the servants to call up your carriage, which is now waiting for
you at the door. If you will allow me, I will conduct you to it?'

"I apologized to my partner for being compelled to leave him, and then
went to the cloak-room. As soon as I was ready I accompanied Mr. Baxter
to the door, where the brougham was waiting. Without looking at the
coachman I got in, at the same time thanking my escort for his kindness.
He shut the door and cried 'Home' to the coachman. Next moment we were
spinning down the drive.

"As I was far too much occupied thinking of you, papa, I did not notice
the direction we were taking, and it was not until the carriage stopped
before a house in a back street that I realized that something was
wrong. Then the door was opened, and a gentleman in evening dress begged
me to alight. I did so, almost without thinking what I was doing.

"'I am sorry to say your father is not at all well, Miss Wetherell,'
said the person who helped me out. 'If you will be good enough to step
into my house I will let the nurse take you to him.'

"Like a person in a dream I followed him into the dwelling.

"'Where is my father? and how is it that he is here?' I cried, beginning
to get frightened.

"'You will know all when you see him,' said my companion, throwing open
the door of a bedroom. I went in, and that door was also shut upon me.
Then I turned and faced the man."

"What was he like?" cried Wetherell.

"He was the man you were telling us about at dinner--Dr. Nikola."

"Ah! And then?"

"He politely but firmly informed me that I was his prisoner, and that
until you gave up something he had for years been trying to obtain he
would be compelled to detain me. I threatened, entreated, and finally
wept, but he was not to be moved. He promised that no effort should be
spared to make me comfortable, but he could not let me go until you had
complied with his request. So I was kept there until late one night,
when I was informed that I must be ready to leave the house. A brougham
was at the door and in this, securely guarded, I was conducted to the
harbour, where a boat was in waiting. In this we were rowed out to a
schooner, and I was placed on board her. A comfortably furnished cabin
was allotted to me, and everything I could possibly want was give