Mark bent forward to assist him, then started back in disgust.
“It’s that contemptible hound Russell,� he said, with a gesture of abhorrence. “Lie where you are, sir, you travesty upon man, until we see about this! Lie still, or, by the powers, I’ll finish you myself!�
“Get him out of my sight, or I’ll not answer for the results!� the Major cried in a hoarse voice. “There is all of murder in my heart, and my conscience would not trouble me more than if I had killed a snake.�
“The lock-up’s the place for him. He’s unfit to run loose,� said Mark.
“I’m sorry to be found in such company, Captain Cramer, but Nathan will explain to you my cause of provocation,� Walden continued. “And this letter will explain to you,� turning to Mrs. Lucien.
He took a letter from his pocket with a dead letter stamp upon it, and handed it to her. “This has but recently been returned to me from Washington.�
“Wait! He shall explain,� cried Nathan, catching the battered and bleeding Teasdale, or Russell, by the collar and jerking him forward.
“Here, you knave, explain to these ladies that those letters you wrote and sent were but forgeries, fabricated and secreted by you or your emissaries, to work ruin and unhappiness.�
Russell gulped and gasped in an effort to speak.
“Speak! Out with it! Tell the truth!� Mark commanded savagely.