me to the
boarding-house, would tell him just where I was.

I had almost made up my mind to leave Kate in Albany, go to New York
alone, find her uncle, and then return for her; but the thought that Tom
would arrive in the morning caused me to abandon this plan. I rose very
early, and walked down to the river, where I found a steamer would leave
for New York at eight o'clock. I went back to the boarding-house, and
after breakfast paid the bill. We walked down to the river, and went on
board of the steamer. I took a seat where I could see everybody that
came on board of the boat, for I felt very certain that Tom Thornton was
already in the city, and searching for me. I was not wrong, for just as
the boat was on the point of starting, and I was congratulating myself
on the fact that we were safe, I saw him standing on the wharf, looking
at me.

CHAPTER XV.

IN WHICH ERNEST FACES THE ENEMY.

I HAD discovered what Tom Thornton intended to do, in part. It was not
an officer who came to arrest me; it was Tom himself. Though I had
confidently expected him--as we always dread the worst possible thing
that can happen to us--I had hoped to escape him when the bell sounded
for the departure of the steamer. I felt quite sure that all was well
with me, and had begun to congratulate myself on my singular good
fortune, when his ugly face appeared on the wharf.

I do not think now that I made any mistake in not remaining in Albany,
for it was the easiest thing in the world for him to trace me out, and
find the boarding-house where I had spent the night. If I had left the
cars at the last station before the train reached Albany, I might have
avoided him. It seemed to me that my only way was to continue the
journey, and I did so. If I had been alone it would have been an easy
matter to evade him.

Tom Thornton rushed on board of the steamer just in season to secure his
passage, for the plank was hauled on board the moment he had crossed it.
I was on the hurricane deck when I saw him, and he saw me. Perhaps there
was a chance for me yet to outflank him. It was a bad scrape, but all I
could do was to make the best of it. I left my position when I saw Tom
coming on board, and went to Kate, whom I had requested to remain in the
saloon. I sat down by her side, and tried to look as unmoved as I could.

"Don't be frightened, Kate," I began.

"Frightened! Of course I am not frightened now," she replied, fixing the
gaze of her de