n of action. The only settled
conviction reached was not then to meet any friends or acquaintances,
but to await the clearing of the dark clouds.

"In this extremity came thoughts of past rescues. How strange my escapes
from lake and river! Had not Paul Lanier's cruel malice been thwarted?
That black benefactress surely had been an angel of deliverance from
loathsome perils in London suburb. Perhaps I yet would live to outwit
the crafty Laniers. Surely there would be a way out of these helpless,
bewildering mazes.

"For some time I remained at this inn, neither going upon the street nor
making inquiry. The landlady restrained all her curiosity as to my past
life and present distress. With motherly kindness she shielded me from
all questioning. I decided to leave London for some obscure English
town, and there seek employment. What to do was very indefinite, but
there must be something done.

"As I barely had enough money to pay my bill, how to reach such a place
was an important problem. In my weak state this obstacle grew more and
more difficult. In desperation I was about to quit the inn penniless,
and look for work. I had paid and was ready to start out on this hard
search.

"From a whispered talk with her husband the landlady returned, and in a
motherly way, placing one arm around me, slipped several small coins
into my hand. I was hesitating, when a carriage stopped in front of the
open door where we were standing.

"Quickly stepping down, a well-dressed gentleman gave low-spoken
directions to the driver and entered the inn. With apparently
unconcerned look he surveyed those present, but was visibly interested
as I turned my face.

"I tarried, between curiosity and dread of identification, but became
more confused, and started for the outside door. Bidding the surprised
landlady a hurried good-by, I passed out and down the street. Having
gone three blocks and paused at a corner, uncertain which way or where
to go, looking back I saw the same carriage which a short time before
stopped at the inn rapidly approaching.

"I started on, and had gone only a few rods when the stranger passed. He
turned around, stared, and the carriage stopped.

"The man stepped out, and coming up to me, in low, hurried tones said:

"'Excuse my rudeness! You are Alice Webster! Don't you know your Uncle
Tom?'

"Between recognition and shame at my strange conduct I stammered some
confused greeting.

"Seeming to notice this pain