“Oh, papa!”
These exclamations broke simultaneously from the lips of mother and daughter.
“Yes, my dear ones; the felon, when he shall enter the Hall to take possession, as he will think, of his stolen estate, will be confronted by the friend he treacherously assassinated and plundered and left for dead to be devoured by the wolves of the Black Woods in California, eight months ago.”
“Oh, Jim!”
“Oh, papa!”
“It is a terrible story, my dear ones, as Longman has told it. But retribution is at hand.”
“And do you think, Jim, that Mr. Hay also wants the bigamist to be confronted by his forsaken wife?”
“Yes, dear, I think he does.”
“Oh, papa! papa!” cried Jennie, turning pale.
“My dear, you met the man on the steamer when you were alone and you were not afraid of him. If you meet him at Haymore you will be on my arm,” said the curate in a reassuring tone.