"Duffel!"
"Yes, Mandeville," said Duffel, "it is I, and there is Tom, your horse."
"So he is, as I live," said the bewildered individual. "How is this? I certainly am not dreaming."
"No," replied Duffel. "I would to God it was a dream. You see before you the very man of all others you had chosen for a son-in-law, and but for your daughter's opposition, I would this day have stood in that relation to you, which I am now glad is not the case. But I have much to reveal to you and little time to do it in."
"Well, first of all, have you seen anything of Eveline?"
"Yes, I have both seen and conversed with her, and until last night I knew where she was, but now I do not."
He then entered into a brief history of his past conduct in relation to Hadley and Eveline, keeping nothing back.
"So, then, Hadley is dead?" queried the 'Squire, who felt a deep interest in that young man's welfare.
"Yes, sorry enough I am to say it, for it is the only murder that rests on my conscience, and a heavy burden and a deep stain it is with which to appear in the presence of an offended God!"
"And you know nothing of Eveline?" interposed Mr. Mandeville.