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 CHAPTER XIII.

 A CONFESSION.

 "If it be confessed, it is not redressed."
 -Shakesea re.

 HEN the figure at the end of the avenue
 came nearer, Dick exclaimed, "Why, it's
 Roger Gordon! "
 So it was indeed, and as he came quite close, they
could see that his face was deadly pale, and that his
eyes were nearly starting out of his head with terror.
 "0 Dick!" he exclaimed in a trembling voice,
" what can be keeping them so late ? do you think
there can have been an-accident ?"
 "I'm afraid it looks like it," answered Dick, "for
they ought to have been here hours ago. But how
did you know they had not returned ? and what
brings you in at this avenue, instead of the lower one
which is nearest the doctor's house ?"
 Then it appeared that Roger had hurried straight
back as soon as he had seen his pony stabled; had
inquired at the. lodge of the upper gate if the party