he measures I did."

Here Duffel gave the captain a history of the events narrated in chapter
second. When he finished his recital, the captain said:

"Why, Duffel, you are the very devil at a plot! I had no idea you could act
the part so well--I shall certainly use you hereafter. But now for the rest
of your scheme; if it is half as well matured as the first part, I shall
certainly join you in it with all my heart."

"Well, you see, I have already deceived the old gentleman, but he must be
kept deceived; it will not do to let first impressions wear off, or all
will be lost. From all that I can learn, he is very tender toward his
daughter since her illness, and it is not unlikely will yield to her
wishes, if she recovers, more than he has done heretofore; but in order to
keep his suspicions of Hadley excited, while he still retains his good
opinion of your humble servant, his mind must be plied and his prejudices
kept alive, so as to counteract the effect likely to be produced by a
father's feelings for a suffering child. In other words, the growing
sympathy for his daughter, must be met by a countervailing distrust and
aversion toward Hadley. To accomplish this I have hit upon the following
plan."

Here he drew the captain still further from the others, and, in low and
smothered tones, imparted to him his scheme, which was no doubt a
villainous one, as it drew from his auditor and confidant an exclamation to
this effect:

"By my soul, Duffel, you are an adept in these matters! I never dreamed of
your being so deep a plotter! The world and your friends, also, have done
you injustice by not giving you credit for so ample a development of such
rare ability to deceive. Success to your plans. I will gladly second them,
as far as the part allotted to me is concerned, with a hearty good will.
But what think you I had best do?"

"Taking everything into consideration, I think the best thing you can do
for us all is to go down south, or to St. Louis, and remain for a length of
time, perhaps till I send you word of what is transpiring in this part of
the world."

"What will be done about our next meeting? You know we have an application
on hand."

"Let the meeting be postponed; or, if you see fit, I will attend to the
initiation in your absence. Choose yourself between the two measures."

"I will let you preside at the meeting, then; we have need of a few
additions to our number, when we can find the right kind of fello