THE EVIDENCE--DUFFEL THWARTED.
It would be difficult to tell which of the two, Eveline or Duffel, was most
uneasy, or least alarmed, during the progress of the conversation recorded
in the last chapter. Duffel feared that Bill and Dick had played him false,
and he also saw that his antagonist was too much for him in a fair contest.
Eveline felt an internal dread of her adversary, though she gave no outward
manifestation of fear, having firmly resolved to withstand his every
attack, and if need be die in defense of her virtue. When alone, however,
the feelings uppermost in her mind were those of distress and apprehension;
and as she took a survey of the position in which she was placed, and
contemplated the hopelessness of her situation, a tide of emotions, long
suppressed, swept over her spirit, and yielding to her feelings, she bowed
her head, and wept.
When Duffel was alone, he called up all that had passed, and as he dwelt on
the revelation of his plots as made to him by Eveline, he came to the
conclusion that the sooner he could get rid of Bill and Dick the better;
for it must have been through them that she came in possession of the
secrets known only to themselves.
"I'll teach them a lesson!" he said, "and once clear of these fellows I
will never trust rascals again. I wish they would, hurry and make way with
Duval; I would then have them! However, I must have an interview now, and
use them awhile longer."
He proceeded to the "swamp," where his associates were to meet him. They
were already in waiting when he arrived, and without ceremony or
circumlocution, he accosted them as follows:
"So, then, you have turned traitors, have you?"
"_Traitors!_"
"Yes, and been developing my secrets."
"If any tongue but yours should dare make the accusation, it would be
silenced forever," replied Bill, in much excitement. "Who dares to make
such a charge against us? We demand to know, and his lying lips shall be
sealed with his own blood!"
"There, that will do. It was only a woman that intimated to me that you
were unfaithful; and I thought then, as I think now, that it was all
guess-work with her."
Here he narrated so much of the interview with Eveline as related to
themselves, and concluded by asking if they had held any private
conversation that she could by any possibility have overheard.
"Not a word, your honor; we did not so much as make a sign by which she
might suspect us or you."
"Very well, I am satisfied; but it seems she either knows or suspects
something, and we must be more than ever on our guard. What I wish to say
to you now, is, that this lady, either for willfulness or out of disbelief,
affects to discredit my statement concerning Hadley's death, and I wish you
to accompany me to the cave to-morrow, and confirm my statements. You need
not implicate yourselves, but give the facts as you saw them transpire."
"All right we'll be there; and I guess we can fix up the right kind of a
story for the occasion."
"And to-morrow night you must make a descent upon 'Squire Williams'
pasture-field, and save a little of his grass by removing a part of his
stock. You understand?"
"Perfectly. We will try, but it's getting to be rather a dangerous business
of late. Since Mandeville's horse was stolen, the men have taken it into
their heads to defend their property. Only a few nights ago, two of our men
went over with the intention of taking Thompson's fine bay; but he was on
hand, and shot one of them through the arm; and they were glad to get off
without the horse."
"Indeed! that's bad news, for we must make a raise somehow. I don't want
the captain to come back and find we have done nothing in his absence."
"Well, we will do the best we can; but it is about time we were leaving
this part of the country, at least for awhile. I don't think we can effect
much, and we run great risks of being detected."
"Do you think suspicion rests on any of our members?"
"Well I can't say as to that. People are beginning to suspect everybody
they don't know, and some that they do. If a man hasn't any particular
occupation, he is pretty certain to be suspected of getting his living by
dishonest means."
"We must get away from here. I will be ready to look out some other
location within the next fortnight. In the meantime, do the best you can,
and all that you can; but be very cautious. Remember to-morrow."
"We will be there, be assured."
With this the villains departed.
Eveline continued to weep for some length of time and then, arousing
herself, she summoned all the courage of which she was master, and braced
herself to meet the fate in store for her, be it what it might.
In passing through the room, her eye fell upon a strip of paper, which lay
in such a position as to indicate that it had been brushed from a table
which was sometimes used by Duffel to write upon. She listlessly took it up
and glanced over it, when her eye caught a few lines penciled upon it.
Seating herself, she examined the writing more closely, and in a moment
became interested. On the paper were some characters, the meaning of which
she could not comprehend, though she recognized them in a moment, as being
the same in form and character as those on the letter which had fallen into
her father's hand, purporting to be from some one to Hadley, as related in
the former part of this story, and in connection with these were clearly
traced the following words:
"And then Bill and Dick! They are first rate fellows in their way, and have
been very serviceable to me; but I don't think it is best to have too many
confidants. I must get rid of them in some way, either by fair or foul
means. Then I shall feel safe and at ease."
These few lines, it seemed to Eveline, had been written unintentionally, as
a man would unconsciously "think aloud;" and she was persuaded in her own
mind, that Duffel knew not of their existence, or he would have destroyed
them. And this was the fact. He had written a letter to the captain on the
day previous to Eveline's abduction, the first draft of which was now in
her hand. This paper was on the table at his side, and after finishing the
letter, he sat for some moments in deep thought, the burden of which was
his own situation. His pencil was in his hand, and in the course of his
secret communion, the words we have quoted were spoken to himself, and
recorded with the pencil--his mind the while too completely absorbed in the
current of his reflections to note the act or be aware of the mechanical
action of his hand.
It instantly flashed across her mind that this document might be made
serviceable to her, if, on the morrow, unperceived by Duffel, she could
find an opportunity of slipping it into the hand of one of his
confederates. She turned it over, and wrote on the other side:
"I found this paper in the room where I am confined. You will know whether
or not the writing is in the hand of your employer; should it prove to be,
as I suspect it is, you will at once perceive his intentions toward you,
and can act accordingly. If, in this new phase of affairs, you feel willing
to desert his service, and aid me to escape out of his hands, and from this
place, you shall be abundantly rewarded, and I will ever be your debtor.
"E. MANDEVILLE."
She then folded the note into as small a compass as possible, and placed it
about her person for future use.
The next day, Duffel visited the cave in company with Bill and Dick, whom
he introduced into the captain's room for the purpose already named.
"You have not forgotten our conversation yesterday, Eveline," said he, "nor
have I my promise. In these gentlemen you have the witnesses of Hadley's
death, which, for your own good, I have taken this pains to establish
beyond a doubt. My friends will now speak for themselves."
Bill at once addressed himself to her as follows:
"It is with much pain, fair lady, that we are before you as witnesses of
the sad occurrence referred to by Mr. Duffel; but as circumstances have
placed us in this unpleasant situation, we crave your pardon most heartily,
and the more so, if what we have to say should be a source of grief to you.
It so happened that my friend and myself were crossing the mountains, a
short time since, and being somewhat belated, were urging our passage
through a dark and gloomy valley, in some apprehension, when we suddenly
came upon two villains, who had just slain a man, and were about to rob
him. We rushed to the spot before their work was completed, and they fled
from the scene of murder in the greatest alarm. We dismounted, and found
that the individual was Mr. CHARLES HADLEY, with whom we had been
acquainted some years before. He was not yet quite dead, and spoke a few
words about his mother and some other lady; but his articulation was so
indistinct and his words so broken, we could not gather the import of what
we supposed to be his dying messages to those of whom he spoke. He expired
in a few moments, and we then hastened to the nearest hamlet for
assistance. I would fain stop here, lady, for the rest of the recital is
very shocking; but I have been requested to tell all, and must do so. It
was something over an hour before we, with some four or five others, who
had accompanied us, returned, when, oh, horror! what were our feelings on
beholding a pack of hungry wolves devouring the body of Mr. Hadley! We
lighted torches and drove them away, but nothing remained of the dead man
but his bones! God grant that I may never witness another such a sight!"
Eveline, who was much shocked at this story, lest it _might_ be true,
though she was by no means certain it was not made up for the occasion,
appeared to be much more deeply affected than she really was, and made
appear as though she was about to faint, seeing which, Duffel stepped up
with the intention of supporting her. She sprang from him, and, in great
apparent agitation, seized Bill by the arm, and demanded of him if what he
had said was the actual truth, and at the same time pressed the note in his
hand, giving him an intelligent look. He very dextrously transferred the
little billet to his left vest pocket, as though he was simply laying his
hand upon his heart to give greater solemnity to his reply, and said:
"I assure you, madam, what I have told you is the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth, and my friend will confirm the statement I have
made."
"Yes," said Dick, thus appealed to, "the sad story is but too true; I wish
for your sake it was not."
This was said with some feeling, and it had more effect upon Eveline than
even the horrid recital given by Bill, but she felt the necessity of
crushing down all tender feelings, and with a masterly effort succeeded in
doing so, then replied:
"You will pardon me, gentlemen, for having seemed to express a doubt on the
subject of your narrative; we are apt to judge persons by the company they
keep, and knowing your friend here," (pointing to Duffel,) "is very much
given to telling falsehoods, I thought it possible you might have formed
that detestable habit through his example; I trust, however, it is not the
case."
Duffel boiled with internal rage at this remark; but suppressing his anger,
he conducted his allies out of the room, gave them some directions, and
then returned to impose his unwelcome presence and conversation upon
Eveline, who had no means of avoiding him, but was compelled to hear his
words.
"I hope," said he, "you are now satisfied of the truth of my declaration,
that Hadley is dead."
"He may be; but I say now, as I said before, I do not _know_ that he is;
but admitting that he _is_ dead, what difference does it make?"
"Why not much, it is true, and I think I took the liberty of saying so
yesterday. I only wish, by proving the certainty of this event, to show you
the folly of continuing longer to set your affections upon him, provided
you have been doing so heretofore."
"And suppose I should cease to remember him, what would that avail you?"
"I would then hope to be able to convince you of my own deep love, and in
so doing of exciting a kindred sentiment in your own bosom."
"Have you the presumption to believe that I could be brought to such a
state of degradation of feeling, now that I know who and what you are, when
I rejected you under far more favorable circumstances? If you have, let me
at once tell you, that in this instance, as in many others, your vanity has
led you to entirely over-estimate your ability to please. Perhaps some of
my sex might be silly enough to listen to your well-turned speeches, but I
can assure you the less you speak to me of _love_ the better."
"People often change their minds."
"So they do; but I think you have pretty good reason to believe that _I_ am
not particularly liable to be charged with that failing."
"Well, no, I believe I cannot charge you with that weakness; but I am sure
you are very obstinate for one of your sex, which is not usually adjudged
to be among the amiable characteristics of a lady."
"A lady that has no mind of her own is no credit to the sex; but I am sorry
to say there are too many of that class, at least we might readily suppose
so by the easy manner in which they are taken captive with soft, silly
nonsense, and smooth, flattering words. If you admire such, the best thing
you can do is to go and make love to them; you will progress much faster
than you do here."
"There now, by my troth, I like that! I wouldn't give a cent for a girl
that had no spirit about her. If you keep on at such a rate, I shall be
more madly in love with you than ever! Come, be a good girl, and give us a
little more of that kind of spice!"
"You like it, do you? Very well, I will change the key a little then, just
a little, and let you have a peep at yourself. You pretend to entertain
sentiments of regard for me; but you know, and I know also, that it is my
father's wealth of which you are enamored."
"No, I swear to you, I love _you_!"
"And I know that is a false oath. You base hypocrite! do you think for a
moment that I cannot and do not see through your flimsy gauze of deception?
I can read your guilty soul as a book; I know your motives, and I know that
a pure, generous, or noble sentiment never had a lodgment in your breast.
You are base, corrupt, cowardly and unmanly in every sense of the word.
There is not a redeeming trait in your character. You are false to your
friends, you cajole your enemies, and prey upon community. You _know_ this
is a true picture of yourself, only that 'the half has not been told;' and
yet you have the unblushing audacity to talk to me of _love_!"
"Yes; and what is more, I am going to wed you."
"Sir! never dare to utter such a word in my presence again!"
"Ha, ha, ha! That _is_ rich, any how! Ha, ha! A weak prisoner to dare a
mighty captor in that way! You certainly must forget where you are, my
pretty little defiant beauty! Why I could just as easily compel a
compliance with my wishes, as make you a listener to my discourse."
"Not quite, sir; you might possibly find yourself slightly mistaken should
you attempt too much, and I give you fair warning to beware what you do!"
"Ha, ha, ha! Why, my love, I could conquer you with one hand."
"You had better not try it, sir!"
"I certainly would make an effort had I not already allowed you a week to
make up your mind. But to show you how completely you are in my power, I
will just plant a kiss on your ruby lips--"
"Never, sir; _never_!" said she, with flashing eye. "Dare to touch me with
your polluted hand, and you die on the spot!"
"Ha! what's that I hear? Talk of killing, do you? Well, we shall see."
And he took a step toward her, with the intention of carrying out his
threat.
"Stop, sir!" she said; and there was that in the tone of her voice which
arrested him as suddenly as would a bar of iron interposed across his way.
"Know," she continued, "that lips polluted as yours are can never come in
contact with mine! I would sooner press mine to the slimy carcass of a
decaying animal, than permit them even to touch yours! and I would far
rather inhale the atmosphere from putrid flesh, aye, from the vilest
carrion, than that your foul breath should enter my nostrils! This, sir,
will give a faint idea of the utter detestation, the inexpressible
loathing, I feel for you."
"By heavens! you shall repent of this in sackcloth and ashes! Detest and
loathe as you please, you _shall_ feel my lips upon your own! and that
now!"
With this, the infuriated villain stepped forward and made a pass,
intending to encircle Eveline in his arms, but she eluded his grasp, and
placing the sofa between them, drew from the folds of her dress a small
dagger, and pointing it at his heart, said:
"One step, one movement toward me, and your life pays the forfeit!" and she
pressed the point of the weapon against his breast.
The cowardly wretch was taken aback, and the moment he felt the instrument
touch him sprang away, as if the sharp steel was truly entering his flesh.
"Base coward!" she, in her excitement, hissed between her teeth in the most
contemptuous manner. At his discomfiture and these words, his rage knew no
bounds; he was beside himself with anger, and but for the weapon which she
held, would have wreaked his vengeance upon her at once in the most beastly
manner. As it was, his cowardice did not permit him to make the attempt,
and he contented himself with pouring out his wrath in words:
"You incarnate child of h----l! I'll make you weep in sorrow and shame for
this! I have given you a week for reflection, but now your time is at hand,
any hour that I shall please to crush you! and I will not keep you long in
suspense. You have called up a thousand furies in my breast, all clamorous
for revenge, and I will not resist their cries! No, it will be manna to my
soul to see your proud spirit humbled, or behold you a suppliant for mercy
at my feet!"
"_Never!_"
"Oh, yes; you may talk, and by my dalliance I have learned you to become
insolent; but now I am done with temporizing. I throw down the gauntlet,
since you have entered the lists, and will compel you to accept the
challenge."
"No, sir, I accept it freely! Don't talk of compelling _me_ to do a thing."
"I'll show you what I'll do! I'll bring tears into those flashing eyes, and
prayers from that venomous tongue! Yes, I will! I have engagements ahead
for two days, and after that you shall have no peace day or night, until I
have forced you to become my wife! I wouldn't marry you at all, but that I
have sworn to you to that effect, and I will keep my word."
"You have uttered many false oaths before; they are so common I do not
regard them."
"Your boasting will soon be done! If need be, I have fifty men under my
command, upon whom I can call for assistance, and not one of them will dare
to disobey my orders."
"Poor, contemptible poltroon! Fifty men against one feeble woman! Verily,
you have a brave set of fellows under a brave commander! But you dare not
call upon your men; I could make forty friends of the number in quick time;
but, even if I should fail, you are too much of a coward to trust fifty men
with your secret, especially as they all know you have a superior in
command, to whom _you_ are amenable."
"Who told you this?"
"Find out as best you can. Perhaps I might suggest to you the possibility
of having already made friends among the members of the Order."
"Order! Who the d----l told you there was an Order?"
"Well, find out."
"I will, then!"
"And you will not!"
"Then there's treason in the League, and I'll ferret it out."
"Do so, by all means!"
She was gaining the victory again, and he changed his tactics.
"I care but little who you may have in league with you, so long as you are
here in my power. No one can enter this room without my consent, and in it
I am safe even from the attack of an army without. Here you are my
prisoner; you think you are safe in the other apartment with the door
locked and bolted on the inside, but you are not. There is a secret passage
to the room, of which you are in total ignorance. I can avail myself of it
at any moment: and you will some time be compelled to sleep. Don't you see
I have you, now?"
This was sheer folly; for it was evidently his best policy to have kept the
knowledge of the secret passage to himself if he expected to avail himself
of it; but he was for inflicting all the pain he could, and this he fancied
would be a deep thrust.
"I thank you, villain, for this timely piece of information; and be assured
I shall not fail to be prepared for your reception, should you dare to
intrude into my presence while there."
"Hooty-tooty! as if I am not to be master in my own house! Well, well;
flatter yourself with foolish fancies if you will; but know that your
destiny is fixed. You shall never leave this cave, except as my wife. This
is your fate, and you may as well make up your mind to it at once. I will
have no more words with you at present, but will leave you to reflect on
what I have said, with the hope that a little calm thought will show you
the folly of resistance, the certainty of your fate and the wisdom of a
peaceful acquiescence therein."
Saying which, he left the cave, as much vanquished as victor, though with a
firm resolve to carry his purpose, even if he had to disable her first, by
shooting her through the arm, with a pistol, in order to overcome her!