"Yes; and much more than you think; for I wish to keep Capitola until she is of legal age. I do not wish that she should fall into the hands of her perfidious guardian until I shall be able to bring legal proof of his perfidy."
"Then it appears that this girl has received foul play from her friends?"
"Foul play! I should think so! Gabriel Le Noir has very nearly put his neck into a halter."
"Gabriel Le Noir! Colonel Le Noir, our neighbor!" exclaimed the minister.
"Exactly so. Parson, you have given me your word as a Christian minister to be silent forever concerning this interview, or until I give you leave to speak of it."
"Yes, major, and I repeat my promise; but, indeed, sir, you astound me!"
"Listen, and let astonishment rise to consternation. I will tell you who Capitola is. You, sir, have been in this neighborhood only ten years, and, consequently, you know Gabriel Le Noir only as the proprietor of Hidden House, a widower with a grown son——"
"And as a gentleman of irreproachable reputation, in good standing both in the church and in the county."
"Ex-actly! A man that pays his pew rent, gives good dinners and takes off his hat to women and clergymen! Well, sir, this gentleman of irreproachable manners and morals—this citizen of consideration in the community—this member in good standing with the church—has qualified himself for twenty years' residence in the penitentiary, even if not for the exaltation of a hangman's halter!"
"Sir, I am inexpressibly shocked to hear you say so, and I must still believe that there is some great mistake."