Mr. Smythe snatched it from his hand, glanced at it with bloodshot eyes, and leaped upon his horse, which he had shouted for as he came into the yard.
The captain looked round, and murmuring something like:
"He's mad, not safe! I must follow him!" called for his own horse and rode off likewise.
His face was a study for a picture of the fiend, disappointed and checkmated.
"Married!" he muttered, hoarsely. "Married! I have been tricked—tricked! And I have given him bills in full for twenty thousand pounds. I'll stop the check!" And with an oath he drove his spurs into the horse's sides and urged it on.
The animal reared and tore forward. He spurred it again and again, and reached the station in time to see the train, which was bearing Mr. Smythe to town, steam away from the platform. It was his first failure, and his bold, bad heart misgave him.
The next train did not start for three hours, and after a few moments' reflection the schemer turned his horse's head toward Penruddie.
"I'll give the rogues a look up!" he muttered, with an angry scowl. "They showed some disposition to rebel. I'll cow them!"
He reached Penruddie, and the first thing he noticed was a group of men lounging at the door of the "Blue Lion".