“If that’s true we shall have more than fun!” exclaimed Ardmore, thoroughly aroused. “You don’t know Grissy. He’s the smartest man alive, and if he’s running this Appleweight case for Governor Osborne, he’ll keep us guessing. Why did I ever send him that scarlet fever telegram, anyhow? He’ll fight harder than ever for that, and all I wanted was to keep him away until we had got all through with this business here, so I could show him what a great man I had been, and how I had been equal to an opportunity when it offered.”
“I wish you to remember, Mr. Ardmore, that you still have your opportunity, and that I expect you to carry this matter through to a safe conclusion and to the honour of the Old North State.”
“I have no intention of failing, Miss Dangerfield;” and with this they turned and rode slowly back toward the house.
Professor Griswold and Miss Osborne were silent until the forest again shut them in.
Then, in a sequestered spot, Griswold suddenly threw up his head and laughed long and loud.
“It doesn’t strike me as being so amusing,” remarked Miss Osborne. “They have Appleweight in their wine cellar, and I don’t see for the life of me how we are going to get him out.”
“What’s funny, Miss Osborne, is Ardy—that he and I should be pitted against each other in a thing of this kind is too utterly ridiculous. Ardy acting as governor of North Carolina beats anything that ever happened on this continent. But how do you suppose he ever met Miss Dangerfield, who certainly is a self-contained young woman?”
“The answer to that riddle is so simple,” replied Miss Osborne, “that I am amazed that you fail to see it for yourself. Miss Dangerfield is undoubtedly the girl with the winking eye.”
“Oh no!” protested Griswold.
“I don’t hesitate to announce that as a fact. Miss Geraldine Dangerfield, beyond any question, is the young lady whom Mr. Ardmore, your knight-errant friend, went forth for to seek. Just how they met we shall perhaps learn later on. But just now it seems rather necessary for us to adopt some plan of action, unless you feel that you do not wish to oppose your friend.”