an answer:

"A trifle too late, you unfurled the flag of truce. With my game in
sight, I decline to forego the chase. For your solicitude regarding my
marriage, I tender my thanks; and the assurance, that no magnet can
draw, not all the charms of Circe lure me across the Atlantic, until I
have accomplished my purpose. The tardiness of your proposal is
unerring appraiser of its costliness; and I were a monster of cruelty
to debar you the sight of your idol, though I bring him with the grim
garniture of chains and handcuffs. When I consign Miss Dent to her
relatives in New York, I go to a miners' camp in Dakota, to identify a
man bearing the marks of one who fled from X---, and lost his pipe, on
the night he murdered Gen'l Darrington.

"DUNBAR."

To temporize longer would be fatal to Bertie; and no alternative
remained but to tell the simple truth.

Without an instant's delay she took up her pen, but ere half a line had
been traced on the paper, a hoarse whistle, somewhat muffled by
distance, told her the attempt was futile; and through the valley
beyond the river a trailing serpent of black smoke showed the express
train darting northward. The attorney had left X---, but might linger
in New York sufficiently long for a letter to reach him; and doubtless
his address could be learned at his office:

"If Mr. Dunbar will give me an opportunity of acquainting him with some
facts, he is anxious to discover, he shall find it unnecessary to
travel to Dakota; and will thank me for saving him from the long
journey he contemplates.

"B. B."

The sun was setting when Mr. Singleton returned from the attorney's
office, and held out the note which he had been instructed to address
and deposit in the mail.

"If it is a matter of any importance, I am sorry to tell you that this
cannot reach Mr. Dunbar immediately. He goes only as far as
Philadelphia, where Miss Dent's nephew meets her; then Dunbar travels
right on West without stopping, till he reaches Bismarck. He left
instructions at his office to retain all mail matter here, for a couple
of weeks, then forward to Washington City; as business would detain him
there some days after his return from the west. Good gracious! how
white your lips are. Sit down. What ails you?"

She put her hand over her eyes, and tried to collect her thoughts. To
suffer so long, so keenly, and yet lose the victory; could it be
possible that her sacrifice would prove utterly futile?

"Mr. Single