ful embarrassment, uncle gently said:

"'Do not worry, Alice. Your Uncle Tom is all right! Get into the
carriage, and we will go anywhere you say! You have something to tell
me, but take lots of time to tell it.'

"Seeing my hesitation, he carelessly says:

"'I will not take you home now, little girl.'

"My fears allayed, I accepted the invitation. We took a long drive,
making many turns, uncle talking about the scenery, weather, and other
subjects, but never hinting at any explanation of my conduct. Once I
started to speak of what weighed upon my mind, but was silenced by:

"'After a while, little girl; no hurry about that.'

"The day was warm. Giving orders to stop at a park, Uncle Thomas told me
that we would take a stroll and have a confidential chat. When seated
under a tree in a secluded part of the grounds, he says:

"'Now, Alice, tell Uncle Tom all your troubles. Make it just as bad as
possible. I like to hear thrilling stories from real life.'

"Set at ease by this pleasant, insinuating bantering, I told all. When
speaking of my final determination neither to go home nor to meet any
old acquaintances, I hesitated to assign reasons for such course.

"Uncle seemed to understand this, and at once said:

"'No, you must not go home yet. We have much important work to do, and
must soon quit London. We would leave to-day but for a little matter
here.'

"We then decided to stop at a secluded hotel, where identification would
be doubtful, and when Uncle Thomas finished that 'little matter' would
take a trip.

"During several days I saw little of Uncle Thomas. He did not stay at
the hotel, but made brief daily visits. One evening he called, and
said:

"'How would my little girl like a sea voyage?'

"I gleefully replied:

"'That would be splendid!'

"'Well, be ready to-morrow morning at seven. I will be here then.'

"With these words he left.

"Upon the next day Uncle Thomas appeared. Taking out of a traveling-bag
a pretty gown, neat jacket, and stylish hat, he told me to put these on,
comb my hair low over the temples, and wear a veil, which was then
produced.

"I made the change, and the simple disguise was quite effective.

"Uncle Thomas looked droll in old-fashioned long-tailed coat, ample
trousers, sorrel whiskers, and silk tile.

"We took a closed carriage for the train, and in short time were on our
way to Southampton, where soon after passage was procured on an ocean
steamer for Bombay.