"Well, we must wait and see what Fox says," I answered. "I’m going to meet him to-night and let him know everything I can find out. He’s promised to help, though afraid to come to Appletop because of Moth." "You thought he could aid you before, I know, but how can he do anything if he dare not show himself?" she asked, as if not placing much hope in anything he could do. "Men like him know more than others about things of this kind, I’ve heard say. They are more alert, I suppose, and Fox seems so clear in his way of looking at things." "I hope he can help. I’m sure he thinks a great deal of you or he would not have come to make inquiries when you were sick. I wouldn’t build too much on him, though, if I were you, Gilbert, for Moth is weaving a dreadful web about your uncle, I fear," the sweet girl answered, as if looking forward to some great sorrow in store for me; and with the words, she put her arms about my neck and pressed her face against mine in comfort of companionship and tender sympathy. *CHAPTER XXXIX* *THE DEPTHS* After breakfast I asked Constance to go with me to see Uncle Job, and her father assenting, we soon reached the jail where he was confined. It was a forlorn-looking place, built of rough logs, strips of wood and plaster filling the intervening spaces. Gaining admission, we found Uncle Job in a cell apart, and so cold and cheerless of aspect that we could scarce restrain our tears at the sight of it. He, not expecting us, was quite upset, but recovering himself, asked us to sit down on the rude bench that half-filled the place and answered for both seat and bed. "Your faces are like a glimpse of heaven," he exclaimed, putting his arms about us with tender affection. To this we could make no reply, and for a long time sat bolt upright, holding his hands and gazing at the blank wall before us. At last, mustering some courage, I said: "I would have been here before, uncle, but have been living at the Blakes’, and it was only yesterday that he came home and told us of your trouble." "Then that is where you have been?" he asked, surprised at what I said. "Yes," I replied. "They are kind people, and had I known you were there, I should not have worried about you." "It was foolish in me to run away, and I’m ashamed of myself; and now more than ever," I answered, unable to say more. "You need not have feared Moth; and now he is under bonds not to molest you, so there will be no further trouble." "I am glad of that, though I don’t care for him any more. He is a scoundrel and sneak, and I’m going to give him a thrashing when I see him," I answered, and meaning to do as I said. "That is foolish talk, Gilbert. You must not get into any trouble with him. He is a man to fear and avoid. Wait; time will bring everything out right." "Yes, we hope so; but Moth deserves a beating just the same for mixing up so much in our affairs," I answered.