"Well, Tom? A penny for your thoughts!"
"I was wondering what Ericksen's game can be—and who that Cap'n Pontifex is!"
"I never heard of him. Certainly father never mentioned him. Well, you're going to keep that money?"
"Yes. It's fair loot from the enemy."
"Enemy? But, Tom—surely you don't think Ericksen and his friends——"
"I'm convinced that there's something back of it all, Florence, something we don't know about! And that it's nothing very good."
The girl laughed. "Oh, Tom, you're delicious! Well, suit yourself; we'll go West to-morrow night—that is, I'm going. You can only go on one condition."
"Yes?" He looked at her, suspicious of the twinkle in her eyes. "What is it?"
"Tell you in a minute, dear. Now, it's true that you've failed in Marshville?"
"Absolutely and utterly."