on and on the dark-browed stranger urges the almost thoroughly exhausted horse, until after an hour's hard driving he comes upon a small farm-house standing in the midst of a clearing in the dense wood.
here he drew rein, uttering a loud "halloo!"
in answer to his summons, two men and a woman came hurrying forward, one of the men going toward the horse.
"mercy on us!" exclaimed the woman, amazedly, "victor lament has brought the young woman with him."
"no comments!" exclaimed lamont, harshly, as he lifted his unconscious burden out of the buggy.
"and why not, pray?" demanded the woman, impudently. "why should i not make comments when my husband is your pal in all your schemes; that is, he does the work while you play the fine gentleman, and he doesn't get half of the money by a long shot?"
"but i insist upon knowing now," declared the woman. "who is the girl you are carrying in your arms, and why have you brought her here—of all places in the world?"
by this time they had reached the house, and lamont strode in and laid his unconscious burden upon a wooden settee, which was the only article of furniture the apartment possessed.
"why don't you answer, victor lamont?" cried the woman, shrilly. "ten to one it's some girl whose puny, pretty face has fascinated you, and you're in love with her."
"well, supposing that is the case," he replied, coolly; "what then?"
"i would say your fool-hardiness had got the better of your reason," she replied.
"that is the case with most men who do so foolish a thing as to fall in love," he answered, carelessly.
"keep an eye on the girl, and do not let her leave this farm-house until after our work around here is done."
"i will promise under one condition," replied his companion; "and that is that you will not attempt to see the girl, or speak to her."
"do you think i am a fool?" retorted lamont.
"i do not think; i am certain of it—where a pretty face is concerned," responded the woman, quickly and blandly.
"i shall make no promises," he said, rudely turning on his heel. "attend to the girl; she is recovering consciousness. you dare not permit her to escape, no matter what you say to the contrary. i must return to the gardiner mansion to direct the movements of the boys. they will be waiting for me. order a fresh horse saddled, and be quick about it. i've already wasted too much time listening to your recriminations."
very reluctantly the woman turned to do his bidding. she saw that she had gone far enough. his mood had changed from a reflective to an angry one, and victor lamont was a man to fear when he was in a rage.
as soon as the woman had quitted the room, lamont returned to his contemplation of the beautiful face of the girl lying so white and still on the wooden settee, as revealed to him by the light of the swinging oil lamp directly over her head.
the longer victor lamont gazed, the more infatuated he became with that pure, sweet face.
"you shall love me," he muttered; "i swear it! victor lamont has never yet wished for anything that he did not obtain, sooner or later, by fair means or foul; and i wish for your love, fair girl—wish, long, crave for it with all my heart, with all my soul, with all the depth and strength of my nature! i will win you, and we will go far away from the scenes that know me but too well, where a reward is offered for my capture, and where prison doors yawn to receive me. i will marry you, and then i will reform—i will do anything you ask of me; but i must, i will have your love, or i—will—kill—you! i could never bear to see you the bride of another."
