What Mr. Ray would have answered under other circumstances Marion could almost guess, but just then Bert Jackson came in and put a stop to further conversation of a confidential nature.
“Oh, I do hope I am right in my suspicions,” she said quickly, when they were on their way to the hall. “I do hope that Professor Dabroski will prove to be Mr. Lawson, for, while it is dreadful for my sister to be in the power of such a monster, still it will end the suspense which is almost killing me.”
“I hope so, too, for that reason,” was Mr. Ray’s answer. “It seems remarkable that you should have found him so soon. The fellow must be a fool to be so utterly reckless.”
“Oh, he knew my father would never attempt to rescue Dollie, and there was no one else. Why, he never even gave me a thought! I was only a little country girl; he did not dream that I would follow him!”
“Well, he didn’t read your character very well, that’s all I’ve got to say,” said Mr. Ray, laughing. “Why, my sister says you would go through fire and water for any one you loved! You have made a friend of her for life, my poor wronged sister!”
There were tears very near Mr. Ray’s lashes now, and it was Marion’s turn to play the comforter.
“Dear Miss Gray, I loved her almost as soon as I met her, but I must call her Miss Ray now—the other name was a disgrace to her.”
“That scoundrel who deceived her is about to pay the penalty for his sins,” said Mr. Ray, slowly. “My father is growing old, but he has lots of spunk left. Why, he has already given the fellow twenty-four hours to leave the country. If he stays, we shall make it hot for him, I can tell you, and as for Emile Vorse, the Chief of Police is after him. It seems that there is enough against him already to send him to prison!”
“He deserves it,” cried Marion, “the infamous wretch! No country girl is safe in a city like this so long as it is infested with such wolves in sheeps’ clothing.”
When Marion, Bert and Mr. Ray reached the dingy little theatre they found it nearly filled with a crowd of ordinary-looking people.