"I don't want to give him the opportunity of saying I avoided him," thought Harry, and then his thoughts turned towards money matters, and the possibility of Richard being compelled to disgorge a portion of the money that should by rights have been Mrs Clayton's son's--he did not know that it was in his power to make him give up all. Then he began to wonder what sort of a reception he should meet with. The last encounter had been far from cordial, and since his mother's funeral, Harry's letters had been but few and far between. "I will see him, though," said Harry, "if I follow him for a week." Volume 3, Chapter XX. BEATING THE BARS. "Now!" exclaimed Richard Pellet, as soon as he and his unwelcome visitor were in the cab, "will you wait patiently, if I take you somewhere, till I can place you where you will see your little one?" She gazed long and earnestly in his face before answering. "Will you keep your word?" "I will!" he said, and she bent her head, when, lowering the front window, Richard gave fresh instructions to the driver, who drew up at the end of a long busy street. "Where are you taking me?" she asked, suddenly. "Only where you can stay for a day or two," said he, preparing to get out. "Sit still for a few minutes till I come back." "But you are going to leave me," she cried, clinging to his arm. "I tell you I will come back," he exclaimed, angrily; and, apparently satisfied, she sank back in her seat. Five--ten minutes elapsed, but the occupant of the cab did not stir. At the end of another five minutes, Richard returned, panting and out of breath, spoke to the driver again, and once more the cab jangled over the stones and drew up at a half-open door. Richard sprang up and took tight hold of his companion's arm, but she followed him with alacrity, only starting back as the street-door closed behind her, when she found herself in the presence of Mrs Walls and in her old gaol. Richard turned to leave, but the cheated woman turned with him, clinging to him tightly, and imploring him not to leave her there in the most piteous manner. He tried to shake her off; he swung her to and fro; he loosened one hand, but only for the other to cling to him more tightly, till, enraged by her persistence, and unable to govern the vile passions that she had roused, he struck her heavily with his clenched fist, so that she fell back half stunned and with a thin stream of blood flowing from her lip. "Why, you great brute--you cowardly ruffian!" exclaimed Mrs Walls, who had some feeling of compassion yet for the suffering member of her sex. "That wasn't bargained for." "Hold your tongue!" cried Richard, fiercely. "Keep to your engagement, and let her loose this time, and you shall suffer for it, even if I do myself. There is law, recollect, for such as you."