"Come on!" he said. "Lord Elgert's pony must look after itself now. Quick, we must hurry!"
"Where are you going to, Rexworth?" cried Charlton in surprise. "There is nowhere about here where father can hide."
But Ralph answered with a smile, never slackening his pace as he spoke—
"Hurry up! There is one place—a safe place. I am going to Mr. St. Clive's."
CHAPTER XXI A HOUSE OF REFUGE
"To Mr. St. Clive's!"
What wonder that the words filled Charlton with surprise. Ralph was surely risking a great deal in taking such a step. But Ralph knew Mr. St. Clive, and Charlton did not—and that made a great deal of difference. Besides, the case was desperate. Somewhere must be found in which to hide; and no other place offered, so to Mr. St. Clive's they went; and Ralph, leaving his two companions in the garden, went indoors by himself.
But if the Charltons were surprised when Ralph announced his intention of going to Mr. St. Clive's, that gentleman was still more astonished when the lad told him of his adventures, and what he had done.