quandary; he was
looked to by the court for a conclusion of the suit he had brought, and
was now so situated that he found it necessary to screen that brother
whom he so bitterly disliked, from the cognizance of the authorities.
Indeed, he became nervous lest the exposure should become public in
spite of his efforts at concealing the singular facts. All this, of
course, tended to the safety of his brother Charles, who had rightly
anticipated this state of affairs in relation to the part that Robert
must needs enact; he therefore felt perfectly safe in awaiting an
opportunity for shipment to England in the first vessel bound thither,
and it was at once agreed between Mrs. Huntington, Helen and himself,
that they would go together. The period of the return of Captain
Bramble's ship to England was fast approaching, and passage had been
offered to Helen and her mother therein; but Helen had promptly declined
it, and induced her mother to do so also, though it required some
persuasion to bring this result about.

Charles Bramble, of course, kept within doors at Sierra Leone, and did
not, by exposing his person, provoke arrest. He was reading aloud to
Helen a few days subsequent to his escape from his brother's ship, when
the door of the room was stealthily opened, and a person stepped in.

"Well, Leonard Hust," said Charles Bramble, "what has brought yon here
so clothed in mystery? Art well, my good fellow?"

"Yes, very well, master Charles; but I come to tell you that you must
get away from this place, for a few days at least. It is not safe for
you."

"What is in the wind, Leonard, now? Have the court scented me out?"

"Yes, mister Charles, and your brother Robert has agreed to deliver you
up!"

"Has he?" added Charles Bramble, musing. "I did not expect that."

"Yes, sir; and I thought I would just slip over here and advise you to
get off as quick as possible, for the officers will be over here in an
hour or so."

"Thank you, Leonard. What is that protruding from your pocket?"

"Pistols, sir."

"Very good, Leonard, I will borrow them."

"They are yours, sir, with all my heart."

"Are they loaded, Leonard?"

"With two slugs each, sir, and as true as a compass."

These formidable preparations startled Helen, who looked beseechingly
towards him whom she loved better than her own life. She came and placed
a hand timidly upon his shoulder, and looked into his face with all the
wealth of her heart expressed in