“Heard? Heard what?” panted the boy.
“Your father has escaped.”
Frank turned sharply to dash off; but Captain Murray’s strong hand grasped his arm.
“Stop!” he cried. “I cannot run after you; I’ll walk fast. My side is bad.”
“Don’t stop me,” cried Frank piteously.
“I must, boy. It is madness to be running about like this. Don’t bring suspicion upon you, 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.”