u, and get yourself arrested--and separated from your
mother when she wants you most."

"Hah!" ejaculated Frank; and he fell into step with his father's old
comrade.

"I will not ask you where you are going; but I suppose in search of your
mother."

"Yes; she is at home."

"What? My poor boy! No. The news is now running through the Palace
like wildfire. She went to visit your father in Newgate this afternoon,
as you know. I don't wish to ask what complicity you had in the plot."

"None," cried Frank excitedly.

"I am glad of it, though anything was excusable for you at such a time.
On reaching the prison she was supported in by the servants and gaolers.
She stayed there nearly an hour, and, as the people there supposed, she
was carried back to the carriage in a chair, half fainting."

"Ah!" ejaculated Frank, who was trembling in every limb.

"The servants say that the carriage was being driven back quickly by the
shortest cuts, so as to avoid the main thoroughfares, when in one of the
quiet streets by Soho three horsemen stopped the way, and seized the
reins as the coachman drew up to avoid an accident. A carriage which
had been following came up, and half a dozen men sprang from it--one
from the box, two from behind, and the rest from inside. The footmen
were hustled away, and threatened with drawn swords by four of the
attacking party, while the others opened the door, as one of them says,
to abduct Lady Gowan, but the other declares that it was a man in
disguise who sprang out and then into the other carriage, which was
driven off, all taking place quickly and before any alarm could be
given. The startled men then came on to state what had occurred; but
almost at the same time the tidings came from the prison that Lady Gowan
remained behind, and that it was Sir Robert whom they had helped away."

"Oh!" groaned Frank, giddy with excitement. "Come faster, or I must
run. She is dying to know. I must go and tell her he is safe."

"You cannot, you foolish boy," cried the captain, half angrily. "Do you
suppose they would admit you to the prison now?"

"Prison!" cried Frank wildly. "Did I not tell you that she was close
here--at our own house."

"What! When did you see her?"

"Not a quarter of an hour ago."

Captain Murray uttered a gasp.

"My poor lad!" he groaned. "Poor Rob--poor Lady Gowan! Then it is all
a miserable concoction, Frank. He has not escaped."

"Yes, yes," cried the lad w