Little went down. Presently she called to him. She held something in her hand,—a wonderful invention of the seventeenth century, improved and perfected in this: a pyramid of sixteen circular hoops of light yet strong steel, attached to each other by cloth bands. With a cry of joy Little seized them, climbed to the balloon, and fitted the elastic hoops over its conical end. Then he returned to the car. “We are saved.” Lady Caroline, blushing, gathered her slim but antique drapery against the other end of the car. CHAPTER X They were slowly descending. Presently Lady Caroline distinguished the outlines of Raby Hall. “I think I will get out here,” she said. Little anchored the balloon, and prepared to follow her. “Not so, my friend,” she said, with an arch smile. “We must not be seen together. People might talk. Farewell.” Little sprang again into the balloon and sped away to America. He came down in California, oddly enough in front of Hardin’s door, at Dutch Flat. Hardin was just examining a specimen of ore. “You are a scientist; can you tell me if that is worth anything?” he said, handing it to Little. Little held it to the light. “It contains ninety per cent of silver.” Hardin embraced him. “Can I do anything for you, and why are you here?” Little told his story. Hardin asked to see the rope. Then he examined it carefully. “Ah, this was cut, not broken!” “With a knife?” asked Little. “No. Observe both sides are equally indented. It was done with a _scissors_!” “Just Heaven!” gasped Little. “Therese!” CHAPTER XI Little returned to London. Passing through London one day he met a dog-fancier. “Buy a nice poodle, sir?” Something in the animal attracted his attention. “Fido!” he gasped. The dog yelped. Little bought him. On taking off his collar a piece of paper rustled to the floor. He knew the handwriting and kissed it. It ran:— To THE HONORABLE AUGUSTUS RABY—I cannot marry you. If I marry any one [sly puss] it will be the man who has twice saved my life, Professor Little. CAROLINE COVENTRY. And she did. LOTHAW OR THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN IN SEARCH OF A RELIGION BY MR. BENJAMINS CHAPTER I “I remember him a little boy,” said the Duchess. “His mother was a dear friend of mine; you know she was one of my bridesmaids.” “And you have never seen him since, mamma?” asked the oldest married daughter, who did not look a day older than her mother. “Never; he was an orphan shortly after. I have often reproached myself, but it is so difficult to see boys.”