He opened his bedroom door cautiously at the first peep of day, and there stood Biddy in her night clothes. “Biddy,” whispered Tom, “did Nellie tell you about the man that came here last night?” “No, sure she didn’t, I was asleep when she came to bed.” “Jim Farren was here.” “Bad cess to him,” cried Biddy, “what in the devil’s name did he want now? I thought he was dead.” “So did I,” commented Tom. “But you needn’t be afraid of him,” said Biddy consolingly. “He won’t dare peach on you, for that would bring him into trouble, too.” “Oh, yes, he will,” replied the man, “for he did not get the reward which was to have been his at the death of the child. Now if he can get her into the villain’s hands he will get the amount which was coming to him.” “Now you are worrying over nothing, Tom. Be cheerful, and we will go to some other place, for this ain’t the only home in the world.” “But, Biddy,” argued Tom, “you cannot give up your home for my sake, and you have spent the best of your days here.” He had come near the woman then, and they were looking into each other’s eyes. “I don’t care fer that,” said she, “and if you think you and Nellie’s a-going away and leave this poor Biddy Roan, then youse is mistaken.” “God bless you, my own Biddy,” ejaculated Tom. “Then this morning we three will pack our things and we’ll go away, and if Nellie has to know the truth then will I tell her.” CHAPTER IX. The night before, when Jim Farren recognized the man and the girl, he was delighted, and he argued to himself that no harm could come to him while he had such influential friends as Nathans and Benson, and that if he got into trouble they would extricate him. He hurried along with his hands still in his pockets. “It’ll be me chance to get even wit’ this cove for cheating me out of the money, only that I’m glad that der goil ain’t dead, and she is a sweet-looking piece of humanity.” But there was no compunction in his heart as he said this. He had no scruples in breaking up a beautiful home now, taking a warm-hearted lover from his sweetheart. Especially should this man have been anxious for Tom to escape, knowing that he was innocent, but Tom had taken away his chances of a fortune and a business. He made his way to the fashionable quarter of the city, and rang the bell at the Benson mansion. It was a long time before there was an answer, and then the butler put his head outside. “Is Mr. Benson in?” asked Jim. “No,” and before he could ask when he would be in, the door was slammed and locked in his face. Then he pondered what he would do. Of course Tom Cooper would try and get away, and he would take the girl with him, and there was a fortune for her in the will of her grandfather. Thinking this, Jim thought there was no time to lose, so he went to the telephone. “Is this the police headquarters?” “Yes.” “Is there a man there by the name of Arkwright?” “Yes; do you want to talk with him?” “Yes.”