"But why do you take such an interest in me? Why didn't you capture my
chum Jack, too, while you were about it?"

"Two reasons. One was that Jack wouldn't answer my purpose, and the
other was that I didn't have a chance to get him. You walked right into
my trap, just when I was doing my best to think of another plan to get
hold of you, since my first one failed."

"But what is your purpose?" insisted the lad. "What do you want with
me?" He thought perhaps if he questioned the man closely enough he
might discover something that would give him a clew, or might aid him
to escape.

"You'll learn soon enough," was the answer.

"Will you tell me your name?" asked Marie quietly.

"No--why should I?" was the quick reply. "If I told you who I was you
would at once know why I have made you a captive here. No; you shall
hear all in good time, but that will not be until I am ready.

"Now," went on his captor, after a period of silence, "I shall have to
bind and blindfold you again."

"Why?" asked Mark, in some alarm.

"Because I don't want you to see how I get in and out of this room, and
that's the only way I can guard my secret. Though if you promise not to
remove the bandage from your eyes within five minutes from the time I