"I am afraid she will be offended with me, sir," said Frank.

"Oh, no; I will explain matters to her. Go on with your reading, Frank."

At half-past nine, Mr. Wharton took out his watch.

"It is getting late," he said. "I have no doubt you are tired and need
rest."

"I am not tired, sir."

"I believe in going to bed early. I shall seldom keep you later than
this. Do you think you can find your way out?"

"Yes, sir. When shall I come to-morrow evening?"

"A little before eight."

"I will be punctual."

Jasper was waiting for him, not wholly without anxiety, for it was very
unusual for Frank to be late.

"Well, Frank!" he exclaimed; "this is a pretty time for you to come
home. I began to think you had got into trouble. I was just going around
to the nearest station house in search of you."

"I was in quite a different place, Jasper."