And, as Tom took a closer look, he became aware
that the man was surely none other than Lydane, the spy he had
chased into the mud puddle some weeks before. His companion was a
stranger to Tom.
"What does it all mean, Mr. Nestor ?" asked Tom. "Have these
men held you a prisoner ever since you called for help on the
moor that night?"
"Yes, Tom, they have. And I did call for help after they
attacked me as I was riding my wheel, but I didn't know any one
heard me. I began to be afraid no one would ever help me."
"We've been trying to, a long time," said Mr. Damon, "but we
couldn't find you. Where did they keep you?"
"Here, part of the time," was Mr. Nestor's answer. "And in
other lonely houses. They bound and gagged me when they took me
from place to place."
"But what was their object?" asked Tom, concluding it was
useless to question the two captives. "Why did they make you a
prisoner, Mr. Nestor?"
"Because they took me for you, Tom."
"For me?"
"Yes. The night I called at your house, and found you were not
at home, I put back in my pocket a bundle of papers I had brought
over to show you.
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