dismally, and
thirsting for blood, crossed the road where he had lain, and licked up the
few drops that had run from his bosom!

Bill and Dick were pursued, but escaped without the slightest clue to their
whereabouts or identity being ascertained.

Perhaps we had as well remark, at this point, that Hadley's departure was
known to but two personal friends and their families, in the Mandeville
settlement, and by them was to be kept a secret, as he did not wish Duffel,
or any of his supposed companions, to know of his absence until he had been
gone long enough to reach his destination, for he believed Duffel was bad
enough at heart to stop short of no wickedness to carry his ends, and felt
fearful he might send some of his minions to waylay him. How nearly he
guessed the truth! He, however, gave another reason for wishing the fact
kept among his friends and though they thought a little singular of the
request, they acted as desired.

Duffel overheard a part of the conversation between him and a young
friend--hence his knowledge of Hadley's movements. Mandeville did not know
anything about the matter until some time afterward, and this ignorance led
him to suspect Hadley of the theft, as already recorded.

He and Duffel agreed to keep their suspicions to themselves, until they
could get at some tangible evidence to prove Hadley guilty. This exactly
suited Duffel's purpose, as it gave him just the time and advantage he
desired, in order to perfect his own schemes.

How easily a few words would have exonerated Hadley in the eyes of
Mandeville: and had he made a confidant of the magistrate in this second
instance, those words would have been spoken, to his enlightenment, and the
great relief and joy of his daughter. But, by an unfortunate combination of
circumstances, the reverse was the case.

CHAPTER X.

When Duffel learned that Mr. Mandeville would not interpose parental
authority to compel his daughter to acquiesce in his wishes for her in
regard to marriage, he set his scheming wits to work for the purpose of
devising some means whereby to accomplish his ends. As we have already
said, Duffel had taken a fancy to Miss Mandeville, with whom he was better
pleased than with any other lady of his acquaintance. He called his passion
_love_, but it was too sordid and selfish to be worthy of a name so sacred.
More than once he called to see Eveline, and though she treated him
civilly, he saw plainly that she had an