“He isn’t my uncle!” said Philip, snappishly.
“Relative, then. You wouldn’t want a relative in the poorhouse?”
“Pa offered to pay his expenses back to Illinois, but the old fellow was obstinate and wouldn’t go. I expect he’s hanging round here in hopes of getting something out of pa and ma; but it’s no use, as he’ll find out sooner or later.”
“Strange he went to board with the Gilberts, isn’t it?”
“Oh, it’s a good enough place for a rusty old chap like him. He ain’t used to living in any style. Ma says he’s half crazy.”
By this time they had reached the borders of the wood, and soon they came to the place where Harry had been left bound.
“Why, he isn’t here!” exclaimed Philip, in surprise and disappointment.
“So it appears.”
“How could he have got away?”
James Congreve, bending over, searched carefully, and at length got some light on the subject.