It was eight o'clock the next morning beforeFrank's breakfast was brought to him.

　　``I am sorry you have had to wait,'' the housekeepersaid, as she appeared at the door with a cupof coffee and a plate of beefsteak and toast, ``Icouldn't come up before.''

　　``Have the men gone away?'' said Frank.

　　``Yes.''

　　``Then I have something to tell you. I learnedsomething about myself last night. I was in thecloset, and heard the man who brought me here talkingto another person. May I tell you the story?''

　　``If you think it will do any good,'' said thehousekeeper, but I can't help you if that is what you want.''

　　He told the whole story. As he proceeded, thehousekeeper betrayed increased, almost eager interest,and from time to time asked him questions inparticular as to the personal appearance of JohnWade. When Frank had described him as well ashe could, she said, in an excited manner:

　　``Yes, it is--it must be the same man.''

　　``The same man!'' repeated our hero, in surprise.

　　``Do you know anything about him?''

　　``I know that he is a wicked man. I am afraidthat I have helped him carry out his wicked plan,but I did not know it at the time, or I never wouldhave given my consent.''

　　``I don't understand you,'' said our hero, puzzled.

　　``Will you tell me what you mean?''

　　``Fourteen years ago I was very poor--poor andsick besides. My husband had died, leaving me nothingbut the care of a young infant, whom it wasnecessary for me to support besides myself.

　　Enfeebled by sickness, I was able to earn but little,but we lived in a wretched room in a crowdedtenement house. My infant boy was taken sick and died.

　　As I sat sorrowfully beside the bed on which he laydead, I heard a knock at the door. I opened it, andadmitted a man whom I afterward learned to beJohn Wade. He very soon explained his errand. Heagreed to take my poor boy, and pay all the expensesof his burial in Greenwood Cemetery, provided Iwould not object to any of his arrangements. Hewas willing besides to pay me two hundred dollarsfor the relief of my necessities. Though I wasalmost beside myself with grief for my child's loss,and though this was a very favorable proposal, Ihesitated. I could not understand why a strangershould make me such an offer. I asked him the reason.''

　　`` `You ask too much,' he answered, appearingannoyed. `I have made you a fair offer. Will you acceptit, or will you leave your child to have a pauper'sfuneral?'

　　``That consideration decided me. For my child'ssake I agreed to his proposal, and forebore to questionhim further. He provided a handsome rosewoodcasket for my dear child, but upon the silverplate was inscribed a name that was strange to me--the name of Francis Wharton.''

　　``Francis Wharton!'' exclaimed Frank.

　　``I was too weak and sorrowful to makeopposition, and my baby was buried as Francis Wharton.

　　Not only this, but a monument is erected over himat Greenwood, which bears this name.''

　　She proceeded after a pause:

　　``I did not then understand his object. Your storymakes it clear. I think that you are that FrancisWharton, under whose name my boy was buried.''

　　``How strange!'' said Frank, thoughtfully. ``Icannot realize it. But how did you know the name ofthe man who called upon you?''

　　``A card slipped from his pocket, which I securedwithout his knowledge.''

　　``How fortunate that I met you,'' said Frank. ``Imean to let Mr. Wharton know all that I havelearned, and then he shall decide whether he willrecognize me or not as his grandson.''

　　``I have been the means of helping to deprive youof your just rights, though unconsciously. Now thatI know the wicked conspiracy in which I assisted, Iwill help undo the work.''

　　``Thank you,'' said Frank. ``The first thing is toget out of this place.''

　　``I cannot open the door of your room. They donot trust me with the key.''

　　``The windows are not very high from the ground.

　　I can get down from the outside.''

　　``I will bring you a clothesline and a hatchet.''

　　Frank received them with exultation.

　　``Before I attempt to escape,'' he said, ``tell mewhere I can meet you in New York. I want you togo with me to Mr. Wharton's. I shall need you toconfirm my story.''

　　``I will meet you to-morrow at No. 15 B--Street.''

　　``Then we shall meet to-morrow. What shall Icall your name?''

　　``Mrs. Parker.''

　　``Thank you. I will get away as quickly aspossible, and when we are in the city we will talk overour future plans.''

　　With the help of the hatchet, Frank soon demolishedthe lower part of the window. Fastening therope to the bed............