CHAPTER XXVI.—A STARTLING EDITORIAL.
ANCE knew nothing of Colonel Bonifield’s discouraging labors in the mine. Indeed, he had been so busy with other matters that he had not found time to call on the Bonifield’s for over a week—a very unusual occurrence.
A few days prior to Louise’s experience in her father’s mine, Vance had been routed up by some one knocking on his window in the middle of the night. It proved to be none other than the missing Hank Casey, accompanied by Marcus Donald of Waterville. A consultation that lasted several hours followed. An understanding was finally reached, and it was agreed that Hank Casey should remain concealed during the daytime in Vance’s room, and await developments.
“I may be laying myself liable to the law,” said Vance, laughingly, “in concealing a man for whom a warrant has been issued, but, nevertheless, I believe what you tell me, and on our mutual friend, Marcus Donald’s advice, I shall act my part unflinchingly.”
“Of course,” said Marcus Donald, “it’s none of my affairs in one sense of the word, but when Mr. Casey came to Waterville, having walked all the way from Gold Bluff by a circuitous route, in order to avoid meeting any one, and told me that Mr. Gibbons was about to be unjustly arrested for murder, I at once became interested, especially with Mr. Casey’s knowledge of the affair.”