And as this idea came to him, Frank
sat with his head resting upon his hands, his elbows upon his knees,
trying hard to master the bitter sense of disappointment that afflicted
him.

"And he will be looking from the carriage window to right and left,
trying to make out whether I am there!" he groaned. "Oh, it seems
cruel--cruel! and he will not know why I have not come."

But one gleam of hope came here. Captain Murray might find an
opportunity to speak with the prisoner, and he would tell him that his
son was watching by his suffering mother.

"He will know why I have not come then," Frank said softly; and after an
impatient glance at the clock, he began again to think of Drew and his
plans for the rescue.

But now, in the face of the precautions which would be taken, this
seemed to be a wildly chimerical scheme, one which was not likely to
succeed, and he shook his head sadly as a feeling of despair began to
close him in like a dark cloud.

He was at his worst, feeling more and more hopeless, as he sat there,
with his face buried in his fingers, when a hand was lightly placed upon
his head, and starting up it was to find that his mother was awake, and
gazing wistfully at him.

He bent over her, and her arms clasped his neck.

"My boy! my boy!" she said faintly; and she drew him to her breast, to
hold him there for some moments before saying quickly:

"Have I slept long, dear?"

"Yes, ever since morning, mother."

"What time is it?"

"About half-past five."

"All that time?" she said excitedly. "He must be near now. Frank, my
boy, the prisoners were to reach London soon after dark."

"Yes, mother, I know," he said, looking at her wistfully, as he held her
hand now to his cheek.

"Is there any news?"

"No, mother, none."

"Oh," she moaned, "this terrible suspense! Frank, my darling, you must
not stay here. Have you been with me all the time I have been asleep?"

"Yes, mother, all. You asked for me."

"Yes, my darling, in my selfishness; but you ought to go and get the
latest tidings. Frank, it is your duty to be there when your father
reaches this weary city. He ought not to be looking in vain for one of
those he loves. You must go at once. Do you hear me? It is your
duty."

"The doctor said it was my duty to watch by you," said Frank, with his
heart beating fast, as he wondered whether Captain Murray had gone.

"With me? Oh, what am I, if your being where he could see you, if o