Barnes was once more filled
with admiration for the little man's amazing resourcefulness.
He read: "Thank God! I was afraid you would wait until to-morrow
night. Then it would have been too late. I must get away to-night but
I cannot leave--I dare not leave without something that is concealed
in another part of the house. I do not know how to secure it. My door
is locked from the outside. What am I to do? I would rather die than
to go away without it."
Barnes whispered in Sprouse's ear. The latter replied at once: "Write
her that I will climb up to her window, and, with God's help and her
directions, manage to find the thing she wants."
Barnes wrote as directed and passed the missive aloft. In a little
while a reply came down. Resorting to the previous expedient, he read:
"It is impossible. The study is under bolt and key and no one can
enter. I do not know what I am to do. I dare not stay here and I dare
not go. Leave me to my fate. Do not run any further risk. I cannot
allow you to endanger your life for me. I shall never forget you, and
I shall always be grateful. You are a noble gentleman and I a foolish,
stupid--oh, such a stupid!--girl."
That was enough for Barnes.
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