Eveline Mandeville

t the cave, and engaged in conversation, some in a loud, braggadocio, swaggering tone, others i

than themselves were not to be admitted into their counsels, or to know the nature of their scheme, be it what it might, for they kept casting wary glances about on all sides, as if with the intention of guarding their circle from intrusion, and their words from being heard by ears for which they were not intende

o League he'

or you'll have the

he ca

you say! that

'll do a thing he does it, and all the Leagues

ke a fool of yourself; it can all

ws as in some other of our characters, we will pass from them and their v

sorbed in confidential intercourse. As their conversat

that affair with Miss

truth is I shall have a pretty h

f cash. I have been at great expense the past few months, and need a little aid just now, to finish the necessar

ore, that ere this time I should have consummated the affair; but I am far less sanguine of success now t

ou were always victo

heart, ere I became a candidate for her hand; that makes a great difference, you know; then, to make the matter worse, I knew nothing about the state of the case unt

til every other method has been 'tried and found wanting.' Remember th

sity compels to the act; but I think there will be no need of adopting extreme measures in the present case. I have a different plan of

t fail to render such assistance as shall be in

f the performance. But before you can appreciate the merits of my scheme, it is necessary that I

es

eville was in the arbor and overhea

evil s

was something in the wind-nothing definite or satisfacto

don't like these suspicions; they

for I did the very best that could be done under the circumstances, I think. As I said, Miss Mandeville heard a few words that passed between us at the time referred t

and w

your natural state, or in any other disguise you might wish to assume, it would be impossible to identify you as the same individual. Well, after long deliberation, and the formation and abandonment of many projects, I finally had to settle upon one, which, in your then app

the events narrated in chapter second. Whe

ell-I shall certainly use you hereafter. But now for the rest of your scheme; if it is ha

y 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 coun

thered tones, imparted to him his scheme, which was no doubt a villainous o

so, have done you injustice by not giving you credit for so ample a development of such rare ability to deceive. Success to your plans.

s all is to go down south, or to St. Louis, and remain for a length of time, p

next meeting? You know we h

it, I will attend to the initiation in your abs

ur number, when we can find the right kind of fellows; and from all I can learn, t

ter announce this arrangement to the member

that Lieutenant Duffel would act in his place in the interim, to whom all reports must be made, and from whom all orders must emanate a

, which, if compatible with your wishes and c

grant anything in my power

am about to crave, which is, that you will allow me the use of your private roo

I hardly know how to grant your requ

n, I can manage to g

o-night; and you may find it a very convenient place to tame some obstinate fair one. Oh, not a

presence of the desperadoes, two of whom-the ones that had taken a dislike to Duval-he engaged in conversa

I should be pleased to have a little priva

y be pleased to communicate, and feel highly flattered b

ons that may take place, either in word or deed, as you will feel bound by honor to look upon all co

rt, we most solemnly pledge our word, even unto death, that what your honor may please t

me I have a peculiar request to make of you, one that may lead to business out of the ordina

the ver

y the tears and prayers

ender-hearted

a true criterion by which to judge of the heart. A smooth face and a h

on us in tha

ant be a helpless a

meddling with feminines much. What do

it don't seem nateral, but 'pears like a feller didn't remember his mother, or his sisters, if he had any. Bu

id Bill. "And now, give us yours, l

d to Duffel in his quaint remarks! How his vicious heart, bad as it was, must have felt the blow, and all the more severely that it came

g a measure, which, if carried out, will be of great and lasting benefit to our order. In order to conduct the affair to a successful termination, it may become necessary to imprison a female, a young lady of great beaut

ves; but we must ask, as a favor in return, that you

ember of the League, and that it is

Duval is a traitor at heart

him in the order, an

hy of death by our laws, and secondly, to be allow

ppear as one, and he knew there was personal enmity at the bottom of the whole affair. His duty, as a member of the order, made it obligato

the League will permit, provided yo

me

him for some injury or insult, and that revenge looks to his death. You need not say, yea or nay; well, we will stand by each other all around. I will give you further instructions at another time. Hold

y rely

been developed in this one night, in that secret den of iniquity! Will th

d the key of his room in Duffel's po