Orton Campbell cursed his folly in arousing the hostility of Jones. He concluded that the latter had released Florence in order to obtain a hold upon him, and would be ready to assist him again if satisfactorily paid. In that event all was not lost. It was necessary to see Jones as early as possible and make matters right with him.
He was not quite clear as to where Jones could be found, but concluded that he had carried Florence back to her boarding-house. He therefore ordered his driver to proceed at once to the house of Mrs. Armstrong.
He hastily descended from the carriage and rang the bell.
It was answered by Mrs. Armstrong in person, who regarded him with no very friendly eye.
Orton Campbell, knowing his own treachery, and conscious that it was also known to the lady before him, asked, in some embarrassment, "Is Miss Douglas here?"
"No, sir."
Orton Campbell looked surprised. "I--I thought she might be here," he stammered.
"Were you the person who lured her from my house yesterday by a false letter?" demanded Mrs. Armstrong, sternly.
"No," answered Campbell, unblushingly; "it was an agent of mine, who has deceived and betrayed me."
"Then, you had nothing to do with the disappearance of the young lady?"
"Certainly not," answered Orton Campbell, boldly. "I assure you it has given me great concern, and I have been riding hither and thither this morning in search of her."
"Won't you come in, sir? Perhaps we may be able to throw some light on this mystery."
"She believes me," thought Orton Campbell, congratulating himself on the effect of his duplicity.--"Certainly," he answered; "I shall be most happy to do so."
He was ushered into the parlor, into which, five minutes later, entered Florence, Richard Dewey, and a gentleman of clerical appearance.
"Miss Douglas!" exclaimed Orton Campbell, in astonishment.--"I thought you said," turning to Mrs. Armstrong, "that Miss Douglas was not here?"
"I am not Miss Douglas," said Florence, quietly.
"I don't understand you."
"Perhaps I can explain the mystery," said Richard Dewey, coming forward.
"I wish you would, if you can," said Orton Campbell, with a sneer.
"This young lady is my wife."
"Your wife? And who are you?"
"Richard Dewey, at your service."
Orton Campbell had never known Dewey well, and his life at the mines had so changed his appearance that it was not surprising he did not recognize him.
"Is this true?" he asked, in visible dismay. "When were you married?"
"Half an hour since, by this gentleman;" and Richard Dewey waved his hand in the direction of the clerical gentleman already referred to.
"You have done a good stroke of business, sir," said Campbell, with a sneer and a look of baffled hatred. "The lady's fortune makes her a good match."
"So you evidently thought, sir," answered Dewey. "Your unscrupulous methods have not succeeded, and I beg to warn you that the lady now has a protector who will punish any such persecution as that with which you have recently visited her."
"You are quite mistaken. My agent--"
"Only followed your instructions," said an unexpected voice, as Jones, who was within hearing, now entered from the adjoining room. "Mr. Orton, I have confessed all, so you needn't try to humbug this gentleman."
"You are a scoundrel," said Campbell, wrathfully, excited by the appearance of the man who, in return for being cheated, had betrayed him.
"Then there's a pair of us, Mr. Campbell," said he, coolly. "I admit that I behaved li............
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