"Never mind what I've been doing. I have found you out, and that appears to be a good job done."
"Found me out? What do you mean to insinuate by that?"
"I mean that you are up to no good; that's what I mean, Mr. Josiah
Crabtree, A. M."
"You are very, very——"
"Don't try to abuse me, it won't work. I want to know what you propose to do with Mrs. Stanhope."
"That is my affair—or, rather, it is the affair of that lady and myself—and does not concern such a scamp as you."
"Oh, Josiah! I do not think Tom is a scamp," broke in Mrs. Stanhope, in a pleading voice.
"He is a scamp, and worse, Pet. Allow me to deal with him alone."
"So you thought to elope with Mrs. Stanhope," went on Tom sarcastically. "To elope without Dora being the wiser."
"Ha! what do you know of Dora!" ejaculated the man, starting back in alarm.