"You can't get home to-night, so you shall stay with us," said Bob Chalmer, and procured a room at one of the cottages for Nelson. Tired out, our hero slept well. But he arose early, and by that time his own clothes were dry, and he put them on.
"I've got a railroad ticket in my pocket good from Lakewood to New York," said Chalmer, while they were having breakfast. "It's a limited ticket and runs out to-morrow. Why can't you use that? You can have it at half price."
"How far is Lakewood from here?"
"Not over six or seven miles. The stage will take you over for fifteen cents."
"That will suit me," answered our hero. "I've got half a dollar left."
"Oh, I'll lend you some money, Nelson!"
"No; I won't need it."
The matter was talked over, and our hero took the ticket. Quarter of an hour later he was on the stage, bound for Lakewood.
It was a clear day, and the ride among the smooth roads was thoroughly enjoyable. Yet Nelson thought but little of the journey. His mind was filled with his personal affairs. He wondered what Van Pelt thought of his continued disappearance.
"He'll think I've captured Darnley sure," he reasoned. "Well, what's happened can't be helped, and I'm lucky to escape, I suppose."