Remonstrance on the part of Andrew was all in vain, and so, watching an opportunity, he made an effort to escape.  But he ran only a few yards before he was tripped up by the officer, when falling, he struck his forehead on the curb-stone, wounding it severely.

“Look here!” said the officer, in a resolute voice, passing his heavy mace before the eyes of Andrew; “if you try this again I’ll knock you senseless!”

Then grasping his arm more firmly, he added—­

“Move along quickly!”

With his head aching severely from the fall, and the blood trickling down his face from the wound on his forehead, Andrew walked along by the side of the officer, who continued to keep hold of him.  In passing under a gas-lamp, they met a lady and gentleman.  The former Andrew recognized at a glance, and she knew him, even with his bloody face, and uttered a cry of surprise and alarm.  It was Emily Winters returning with her father from the house of a friend, where they had stayed to an unusually late hour.  The officer was about pausing, but Andrew sprung forward, saying as he did so, in an under tone—­

“Don’t stop!”

At the same instant Mr. Winters urged on his daughter, and the parties were separated in a moment.

“Unhappy boy!” said the father of Emily, who had also recognized Andrew, “his folly and evil are meeting a just but severe return.  His poor mother!—­when she hears of this it will almost break her heart.  What an affliction to have such a son!”

“Did you see the blood on his face?” asked Emily, in a choking voice, while her hand shook so violently, as it rested on the arm of, her father, that he felt the tremor in every nerve.

“I did,” he replied.

“What was the matter?  He must be badly hurt.  What could have done it?”

“He’s been quarreling with some one, I presume,” coldly replied Mr. Winters, who did not like the interest his daughter manifested.

Emily made no reply to this, and they walked the rest of the way home in silence.

CHAPTER IX.

It was within an hour of daylight when Mrs. Howland, worn down by her long vigil, fell asleep, and an hour after the sun had risen, before her troubled slumber was broken.  Then starting up, she eagerly inquired of her husband, who had already arisen, and was walking about the room, if Andrew had yet returned.  Mr. Howland merely shook his head.

Soon after, breakfast was announced, and the family assembled at the table; but one place was vacant.

“Where is Andrew?” asked Mary.

No answer was made to this question; and Mary saw by the expression of her parents faces, that to repeat it would not be agreeable.  A few moments afterward the bell rung.  As the steps of a servant were heard moving along the passage toward the door, Mr. and Mrs. Howland sat listening in breathless expectation.  Soon the servant came down, and said that a man wished to see Mr. Howland.