"It is all for Robert's good. He has been too much indulged. I want to make a man of him. What did he say to you?"
"He told me not to mind—that he would get out some way."
"Perhaps through the key-hole," laughed James Talbot, apparently much amused.
"You are real mean," whimpered his wife. "The poor boy has had no breakfast."
"Don't let that interfere with your breakfasting, Mrs. T."
"How can I eat when he is hungry?"
"You see it doesn't affect my appetite. Really, this steak is unusually good."
Meanwhile Robert was considering how he was to escape. It was rather a puzzling question to consider, and he could not think of any way. But as he was looking out of the window he saw Sam Jones, a school friend, pass by. An idea came to him. Sam's father was a carpenter, and the owner of a tall ladder.
"I say, Sam!" he called out.