"How came you here? You know well enough what I mean." "I walked," answered Dean demurely. "Of course you did! How did you get out of the place where I put you?" "I went out at the back door." Kirby turned to Dan in alarm. "Was it unlocked?" he asked, resuming his examination of the boy. "Yes; if it hadn't been I couldn't have got out." "Where is Pompey—the negro? What did you do to him?" asked Kirby suspiciously. "He fell asleep after dinner." "And I suppose you took the key from him in his sleep," said Kirby, rather as a statement than an inquiry. Dean made no reply, and Peter Kirby took this as an admission that he was right. "That must be the way, Dan," he said, turning to his companion. "It's lucky we met our young friend here, or we might have been deprived of his society." Dean looked depressed, and Kirby was deceived by his manner. "I suppose you know what's going to happen?" he said, addressing himself to Dean. "No." "Well, you'll soon know. You're going back to keep company with Pompey. He is very lonesome there in the cave, and he will be brightened up by having a boy as company." "Oh, Mr. Kirby, please let me go on my way!" pleaded Dean. "I am sorry to disappoint you, but it can't be done. Sit down, Dan. We've got a long walk before us, and we will rest a while." The two men seated themselves one on each side of Dean, occupying the exact places recently vacated by the two miners. Kirby had been angry at first with Dean, but the exultation he felt at recovering him abated his wrath and made him good-natured. He felt like the cat who has the mouse securely in his power. "Oho!" he laughed, "this is a good joke! This foolish lad really supposed that he had bidden us good-by. Didn't you, lad?" "Yes; I never expected to see you again." Kirby laughed again. "My lad," he said, "you are not yet smart enough to circumvent Peter Kirby. You'll have to be several years older at least." "Mr. Kirby," said Dean, earnestly, "will you tell me why you want to keep me a prisoner?" "Suppose I say that I like your society?" "I shouldn't believe you." "You are a sharp one, youngster. That isn't the only reason." "So I thought. What is the reason, then?" "You know too much and suspect too much, boy. You're a pesky young spy. We don't propose to leave you at liberty to injure us." "Was that why Squire Bates arranged for you to take me with you?" asked Dean, with a penetrating look. "What motive could he have except to help you to a position?" answered Kirby, evasively. "I don't know," answered Dean, emphasizing the last word. "But you suspect something. Is that it?" Dean nodded. "Boy, you are too candid for your own good. It is clear that you are too sharp to be kept at liberty." "Do you mean to take me back to the cave?" "Yes." "Why not let me travel with you instead? I should prefer it to such a gloomy prison."