Jones was at their heels.
CHAPTER XII
THE SECRET OF THE DOLL.
As they were passing out to the sidewalk Hilda’s hand fell on Frank’s arm and her voice whispered in his ear:
“What can we do? He is close behind. If you turn on him, he will meet you with knife or pistol. It will be in the papers to-morrow. The whole truth will come out, and I shall be arrested.”
He saw that she, usually so brave, was in great terror of something, and he did not believe her fear was inspired entirely by Jones.
What caused it?
Had this girl committed a crime of some sort that caused her to fear the relentless hand of the law?
Even so, he pitied her. Even so, he would stand by her and try to aid her. What better could be expected of the daughter of Enos Dugan, the smuggler! She had been brought up in an atmosphere of lawlessness; had been taught as a little child that the law was an oppressor and that it was not wrong to defy and defeat it.
No matter what happened to her, she should not lack for a friend. She had dreamed heroic things of this youth at her side, and he would not disappoint her in the supreme moment.