nowledge of the secret passage to himself if he expected to avail himself
of it; but he was for inflicting all the pain he could, and this he fancied
would be a deep thrust.

"I thank you, villain, for this timely piece of information; and be assured
I shall not fail to be prepared for your reception, should you dare to
intrude into my presence while there."

"Hooty-tooty! as if I am not to be master in my own house! Well, well;
flatter yourself with foolish fancies if you will; but know that your
destiny is fixed. You shall never leave this cave, except as my wife. This
is your fate, and you may as well make up your mind to it at once. I will
have no more words with you at present, but will leave you to reflect on
what I have said, with the hope that a little calm thought will show you
the folly of resistance, the certainty of your fate and the wisdom of a
peaceful acquiescence therein."

Saying which, he left the cave, as much vanquished as victor, though with a
firm resolve to carry his purpose, even if he had to disable her first, by
shooting her through the arm, with a pistol, in order to overcome her!

CHAPTER XV.

BILL AND DICK--HORSE-STEALING--ANTI-THIEF LEAGUE.

On leaving the cave, after the interview with Eveline, Bill and Dick
resorted to a place where they were in the habit of holding consultations
on their own affairs, arrived at which, Bill produced the note which
Eveline gave him, from his pocket, and at once perused it. A dark scowl
gathered on his face as he read, and when he had mastered the document, an
exclamation broke from his lips to this effect:

"Infernal villain and coward!"

"What now?" queried Dick, not a little surprised at his companion's violent
language.

"What do you think?"

"That's a pretty question to ask! as if I could know anything contained in
that paper, when I've never seen it except in your hand."

"This rascal, for whom we have been working these three months, wants to
get clear of us, so soon as he has obtained from us all the aid he
desires."

"What, _Duffel_?"

"Yes, Duffel."

Dick stood a moment, as if in doubt whether to believe Bill's words or
not; at length he inquired:

"How do you know this?"

"Why, here it is, in his own hand-writing."

That he wants to betray us?"

"No--yes--that is, he wants to get us out of the way!"

"How?"

"By fair means or foul; he don't seem to care which. But I will read his
words," and Bill read the billet