‘In Prince’s Town prison.’
‘And he escaped?’
‘Yes, papa. As I was on my way to Ashburton, I passed through Prince’s Town, and thus heard of it.’
‘Barbara! why did you keep this secret from me? If I had known it, I would have run and taken the news myself to the police and the warders, and have had him recaptured whilst he was ill in bed, unable to escape.’
It was now Barbara’s turn to express surprise.
‘But, dear papa, what do you mean? You have told me yourself that you knew all about Mr. Jasper.’
‘I knew nothing of this. My God! How thick the black spots are, and how big and pointed!’
‘Papa dear, what do you mean? You assured me you knew everything.’
‘I knew nothing of this. I had not the least suspicion.’