“Why should I show you the way to the only place of safety I have got?”
“Because you like me,” said Nic, with a smile, as he held out his hand, which the other grasped and held.
“Yes,” he said; “you made me like you, Nic, and brought me back a little to a better belief in human kind just when I was growing day by day more and more into a brute—a savage. Well, I will show you; but you are tired now.”
“Not too tired for that,” said Nic eagerly, for there was a suggestion of adventure which attracted him. “I’m ready. Are you going to bind my eyes again? You can if you like, and then you can lead me down and I shall not know the way.”
“Why should I do that when I said that I would trust you? Besides,” said the convict rather grimly, “you will want your eyes.”
“Is it dangerous?” cried Nic.
“In places; but you will not shrink.”
“Is it far?”
“A mile from here. This way, then. But wait a few minutes.”
Nic stared, for the convict suddenly darted to one side and disappeared, leaving the boy wondering at his singular behaviour. Then there was utter silence, and it seemed as if he had gone for good.