"And I reckon he will. That is Dr. Stone's, isn't it? Never mind answering. I know well enough it is."

"He'll have bub sure," said Abner, disconsolately. "But I'll follow 'em, and I'll get him away, as sure as my name's Abner Barton."

CHAPTER x.x.xVIII -- FORD TAKES A BOLD STEP, BUT FAILS

"I wish to see Miss Stone," said Willis Ford, to the servant.

"I'll tell her. What name shall I say?"

"Never mind about the name. I wish to see her on business of importance."

"I don't like his looks," thought the maid. "Shure he talks as if he was the boss."

She told Miss Stone, however, that a gentleman wished to see her, who would not tell his name.

Miss Stone was in Herbert's chamber, and the boy--now nearly well, quite well, in fact, but for a feeling of languor and weakness--heard the message.

"What is he like?" he asked, anxiously.

"He's slender like, with black hair and a black mustache, and he talks like he was the master of the house."

"I think it is Willis Ford," said Herbert, turning pale.

"The man who abducted you?" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Miss Stone.

"Yes, the same man. Don't let him take me away," implored Herbert.

"I wish my brother were here," said Miss Stone, anxiously.

"Won't he be here soon?"

"I am afraid not. He has gone on a round of calls. Bridget, tell the young man I will be down directly."

Five minutes later Miss Stone descended, and found Willis Ford fuming with impatience.

"I am here, sir," she said, coldly. "I understand you wish to see me."

"Yes, madam; will you answer me a few questions?"

"Possibly. Let me hear what they are."

"You have a boy in this house, named Herbert Reynolds?"

"Yes."

"A boy who ran away from Mr. Joel Barton, with whom I placed him?"

"What right had you to place him anywhere, Mr. Ford?" demanded the lady.

"That's my business. Permit me to say that it is no affair of yours."

"I judge differently. The boy is sick and under my charge."

"I am his natural guardian, madam."

"Who made you so, Mr. Ford?"

"I shall not argue that question. It is enough that I claim him as my cousin and ward."

"Your cousin?"

"Certainly. That doubtless conflicts with what he has told you. He was always a liar."

"His story is, that you beguiled him from his home in New York, and brought him against his will to this part of the country."

"And you believe him?" sneered Ford.

"I do."

"It matters little whether you do or not. He is my sister's child, and is under my charge. I thought fit to place him with Mr. Joel Barton, of Scipio, but the boy, who is flighty, was induced to run away with Barton's son, a lazy, shiftless fellow."

"Supposing this to be so, Mr. Ford, what is your object in calling?"

"To reclaim him. It does not suit me to leave him here."

Ford's manner was so imperative that Miss Stone became alarmed.

"The boy is not fit to travel," she said. "Wait till my brother comes, and he will decide, being a physician, whether it is safe to have him go."

"Madam, this subterfuge will not avail," said Ford, rudely. "I will not wait till your brother comes. I prefer to take the matter into my own hands."

He pressed forward to the door of the room, and before Miss Stone could prevent it, was on his way upstairs. She followed as rapidly as she could, but before she could reach him, Ford had dashed into the room where Herbert lay on the bed.

Herbert was stricken with terror when he saw the face of his enemy.

"I see you know me," said Ford, with an evil smile. "Get up at once, and prepare to go with me."

"Leave me here, Mr. Ford. I can't go with you; Indeed, I can't,"

said Herbert.

"We'll see about that," said Ford. "I give you five minutes to rise and put on your clothes. If you don't obey me, I will flog you."

Looking into his cruel face, Herbert felt that he had no other resource. Trembling, he slipped out of bed, and began to draw on his clothes. He felt helpless, but help was nearer than he dreamed.