Tom thought of Blondin, and determined to try the effect of “Venez à Moi” in attracting Jane’s attention. Only, as he happened to live in this unromantic nineteenth century, and to be possessed neither of a harp nor of skill to play one, there was nothing left for him but to whistle it. Retiring from the window a dozen yards or more, but still keeping well within the shelter of the shrubbery, Tom accordingly began to “flute the darkness with his low sweet note.” In other words, he began to whistle “Venez à Moi.” At the end of five minutes, which to him seemed more like an hour, the venetians were lifted, and some one could be seen peering into the darkness. A few quick strides carried Tom to the window. Although startled when the first notes of the familiar air fell on her ear, Jane was not long in divining who it was that was there. Inventing an errand for her companion which took that young lady out of the room for a few minutes, she hurried to the window and looked out. A tap from Tom, and the window was opened. Although surprised to see him, and at being so summoned, she frankly offered her hand. “When you shall have heard my errand, Miss Culpepper, you will, I am sure, pardon the liberty I have taken,” said Tom. Her thoughts reverted in an instant to her father, but he was snoring peacefully in the dining-room. “I hope, Mr. Bristow, that you are the bearer of no ill news,” she said with simple earnestness. “My news is either good or bad, as people may choose to take it,” answered Tom. “Miss Culpepper—my friend, Lionel Dering, is hiding within a mile of this house.” “Oh, Mr. Bristow!” His words took her breath away. She turned giddy, and had to clutch at the window to keep herself from falling. “The place where he has been hiding since his escape from prison is safe no longer,” resumed Tom. “Another hiding-place must be found for him, and at once. In this great strait, I have ventured here to ask your assistance.” “And have made me your debtor for ever by so doing,” said Jane, with fervour. “My help is yours in any way and in every way that you can make it useful.” “What I am here to ask you to do is, to give my friend food and shelter for three days and nights, by which time a plan, now in preparation, for getting him away to some more distant place, will be ready to be put into operation.” “I will have my own rooms got ready for Mr. Dering without a moment’s delay,” said Jane. “Pardon me,” said Tom, “but the very kindness of your offer would defeat the object we have most in view. Dering’s safety depends on the absolute secrecy which must enshroud this night’s transactions. What you have just suggested could not be carried out without exciting the suspicions of one or more of your servants. From suspicion to inquiry is only one step, and from inquiry to discovery is often only another.” “You are right, Mr. Bristow. But you are not without a plan of your own, I am sure.”