“Did you tell him that?” and Biddy sat down upon the floor and ceased her sobbing and looked at her darling. “I did, and I’m going with you, Biddy. I told him I would come back when I was twenty-one and take charge of the house, and until that time he could reign here with the companion he had chosen for me.” Saying this, she had commenced to tear the things out of the closet. But a knock caused her to cease. Benson was standing looking at her with a pleading expression in his eyes. He hated to admit that he could not tame this very young girl, and that she would take no wish of his into consideration, much less an order. “What are you doing, Helen?” asked he, looking about the room. “Getting ready to go with Biddy. I suppose the new companion will need these rooms.” “Don’t be foolish, Nellie,” commenced the man. “You are to stay in your home, for it is not to be thought of, your leaving it.” “Then if I stay, Biddy shall stay, too.” Benson hesitated. The dark eyes under the shock of golden hair were flashing at him their challenge. “Then,” said the man slowly, “let Biddy stay. I did not think you would take any such drastic measures. I hope you won’t regret it.” “But she will,” he muttered as he made his way downstairs and dismissed the new woman, who, with a very dark smile upon her face, laughed him to scorn for his indecision. “I should like the managing of that young girl for a little while,” said she slowly, “and I think I could bring her to time.” “Leave your address. I may need you,” replied Benson, as he showed her the door. * * * * * And now this day Nellie was writing her experience to Tom. “As if I could live here without Biddy, Tom,” wrote she. “And with the woman he hired for my companion. You have no idea how repugnant she was to me. Oh, Tom, is this misery never to cease? Now I have but a little money to do as I want to with, but, my beloved, it won’t be long before I can spend all the money I wish. Then for freedom for you and happiness for me.” * * * * * This letter was received at the prison and the warden congratulated Tom upon having such a constant little sweetheart, but the tone of the missive was anything but satisfactory to Tom. He believed that Biddy would be sent away and Nellie would be left alone with Benson. He thought of this so long that the idea seemed to set his brain on fire, and he could see his darling going through all sorts of things and tortures to make her give over the money to Nathans and her cousin. He pictured in his mind this woman, who had been brought to take the place of the faithful Irishwoman, who had been his and Nellie’s friend since their terrible experience in the river fifteen years before. He suddenly made up his mind to escape that night from the prison.