"Oh!" The woman eyed him suspiciously. "Water, did you say?"
"Yes; I'd like a drink."
"The well is mighty poor here. You can get a drink up to the next house."
"Very well," returned Nelson, and started to leave the garden. As he did so he heard a sudden crash of glass and, looking up, saw some panes from a window in an upper room of the cottage fall to the ground.
"Nelson! Nelson! Help me!" came the unexpected cry.
"My gracious!" burst out our hero, in bewilderment. "Gertrude! What does this mean?"
"I am held a prisoner," answered Gertrude. "Save me!"
"A prisoner?"
"Yes, Nelson. You will help me, won't you?"
"To be sure I'll help you. But—but who did this?"