With a malicious chuckle James Talbot drew the key from the lock, put it in his pocket, and went downstairs. His wife was already sitting in her place at the breakfast table. "What makes you so late, James," she asked. "I have been having a little interview with your son, my dear." "He is late, too. Is he coming down?" "No doubt he would like to," said her husband, chuckling. "I don't understand you, James. If he would like to come, why doesn't he?" "Because he is locked in his chamber." "Who locked him there?" "I did." Mrs. Talbot was a meek woman, but this excited her to anger. "I will go right up and let him out," she said. James Talbot laughed, but allowed his wife to leave the room without a word. She hurried up to Robert's chamber. "Robert!" she called through the key-hole. "Is it you, mother?" "Yes. Are you locked in?" "Yes." "Where is the key?" "In Mr. Talbot's pocket, I presume." "Why did he lock you in?" "Because I would not agree to saw and split the wood in place of Mr. Webber next week." "That is shameful. Poor boy! and you have had no breakfast." "And am not likely to have, unless you can pass some through the key-hole. You see what sort of a man you have married, mother." Mrs. Talbot was silent. She began to realize it herself. "How is this going to end?" she asked, half crying. "Don't mind me, mother. I'll get out some way." "I will ask James--Mr. Talbot for the key." "He won't give it to you. Let things take their course. I will consider what is best to be done. But first, is there any other key in the house that will fit this door?" "No, I don't think so." When Mrs. Talbot went downstairs her husband was half through breakfast. "I am afraid your breakfast will be cold, my dear," he said. "How can you act so meanly, James?" "It is all for Robert's good. He has been too much indulged. I want to make a man of him. What did he say to you?" "He told me not to mind--that he would get out some way." "Perhaps through the key-hole," laughed James Talbot, apparently much amused. "You are real mean," whimpered his wife. "The poor boy has had no breakfast." "Don't let that interfere with your breakfasting, Mrs. T." "How can I eat when he is hungry?" "You see it doesn't affect my appetite. Really, this steak is unusually good." Meanwhile Robert was considering how he was to escape. It was rather a puzzling question to consider, and he could not think of any way. But as he was looking out of the window he saw Sam Jones, a school friend, pass by. An idea came to him. Sam's father was a carpenter, and the owner of a tall ladder. "I say, Sam!" he called out. Sam looked up in the direction of the voice, and to his surprise saw Robert at the window. "What's up?" he asked. "I am." "Why don't you come down?" "For a very good reason--because I am locked in." "What's that for?" asked Sam in natural surprise. Robert explained. "What are you going to do?" "Get out, if you will help me."