he charge of good Mrs Williams, who knows all about them; and since
then I have been just watching and waiting to see how the Lord would
guide me, and have been content to move as he directs me, one step at a
time. But yesterday I got a sad check. The father of the children
enticed away his little boy, and got me to meet him this morning some
miles away from here. He cared nothing for the child, but only took him
away that he might get some money out of me. So, when we met this
morning, he engaged to give me back the child if I would promise to send
him a sum of money which he named; and if I would not do so, then he
said he would keep the boy, and bring him up as a stage-player. That I
would not hear of; so I promised him the money, and he has given me back
the little boy as you see, and has solemnly undertaken not to meddle
with either of the children again. And now I want you to take the money
for me when we get home. He is to be at the four turnings above the
Manor-house at five o'clock to-morrow morning, and I am to send him a
cheque in an envelope. This I have promised, and I want your help in
the matter. You understand, Harry, how things are?--they are black
enough just now, I grant, but they might be blacker."

The old man, who had listened with breathless interest, now stood still
and looked his young master steadily in the face, while two or three big
tears rolled down his cheeks.

"And so you've been a-sacrificing yourself, Master Amos, for your sister
and her dear children," he said. "I see it all; but shouldn't I just
like to have fast hold of that rascal's neck with one hand, and a good
stout horsewhip in the other. But I suppose it's no use wishing for
such things. Well, I'm your man, sir, as far as I can be of any
service. But as for him and his promises, what are they worth? Why,
he'll be just squeezing you as dry as an old sponge as has been lying
for a month in a dust-pan. He'll never keep his word, not he, while
there's a penny to be got out of you. And yet, I suppose, you couldn't
have done different for the sake of the poor children, bless their
little hearts. And I'm to take the money to him? Yes; and a policeman
or two at the same time would be best. But no, I suppose not, as you've
promised, and for the credit of the family. Well, it's a shocking bad
business altogether; but when a man's been and tackled it as you've
done, Master Amos, it'll come right in the end, there's no