“I saw you this time only by accident, Jack,” replied the man. “Never mind. I will go so far away this time that you will never see me. So you would help me, would you?” with an odd smile.
“Only to keep you away from my mother,” Jack answered. “You never did me any good and I have no reason to like you. If I helped you it would be for my mother’s sake alone.”
“And you are a prisoner here, so that you will not be able to pass the examinations?” asked the other carelessly.
“Yes, so it seems, but I do not mean to be kept here.”
“You can get away now, Jack, if you wish it,” said the other in a low tone. “I’ll do that much for you for all that you don’t do things for me on my own account. Do you wish to leave here?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then I will help you get away, will go with you till everything is safe. Maybe I did not treat your mother right, Jack. Never mind that now. I can help you and I will. Come, there is no time like the present.”
The two stepped to the door when one of the rough fellows said, putting himself in the way:
“Here, Mister, you can go if you like but not the boy. We’ve got orders to keep him here.”
“And I have a notion to take him away with me and if you oppose me it will be the worst for you.”