ven charter the Champion steamer, if he could
get her.

I had already studied the railroad time tables, and as it was now after
ten in the forenoon, there would be no train along the south shore till
between three and four in the afternoon; and Tom would have abundance of
time to carry out any plan he might devise. I did not wish to leave
Parkville without seeing Bob Hale. He had been my friend and confidant,
and I might not see him again for weeks, or even months. I might meet
him at recess at the Institute, and I concluded to do so.

Just then it occurred to me that if I went off with Kate, I should leave
Bob a legacy of trouble and confusion. When I disappeared, Tom would go
to my friend, and harass him, perhaps cause his arrest. I was not
willing to allow this if it could possibly be avoided. It would be
better and fairer for me to settle all this business with Tom before I
left. He still stood on the shore with his father, and I supposed he was
watching to see where I went, hoping that my movements would give him a
clew to the hiding-place of Kate. I put the Splash about, and headed her
towards the cottage.

"Kate," I called to her, "you may come out now, if you like."

"Is it safe to do so? If it isn't, I had just as lief stay in here," she
replied.

"Perhaps you will think I am crazy, Kate; but I wish to have Tom
Thornton see you;" and I proceeded to explain the difficulty under which
poor Bob would labor after our departure.

"I shall do just what you tell me, Ernest Thornton, if it is to jump
overboard" replied she, coming out of the cabin, and taking a seat on
the weather side of the boat.

With the wind nearly aft, the Splash dashed forward on her course. I ran
her up within twenty yards of the shore, where Tom and my uncle stood,
and then threw her up into the wind.

"Mr. Tom Thornton," I shouted, "I want you to understand that Miss
Loraine has been on board of my boat all night."

It must have been a great satisfaction to him to know that he had been
within a stone's throw of her ever since his arrival at the cottage.

"Bring her ashore, you villain!" cried he, stamping his feet with rage
and vexation.

"You smashed my skiff so that I can't land here," I replied.

"Ernest, will you hear me?" called uncle Amos, as the Splash filled away
again.

"I came up here to let you know that Bob Hale hasn't anything to do with
this business," I shouted.

The boat was receding from the shore, and nothi