seized upon her, and she was about to yield to the dictates of
fear, and return to her room, when a kind of murmuring sound, as if of
voices in the distance, met her ear. Listening a moment she felt quite sure
there were living persons somewhere near; and summoning all her resolution,
she boldly pushed forward, determined to solve the mystery in which she was
involved, and if human beings were in her vicinity, to ascertain who and
what they were.

Advancing with a cautious but firm step, she was not long in doubt as to
the nature of the sound; it evidently proceeded from human lips. As she
drew nearer words became distinguishable; and then she came to the end of
the passage, which abruptly terminated against a solid wall, like those of
the cave. But the wall was evidently a thin one, and on the immediate
outside--or other side--were the persons, who were engaged in conversation.
She stood there but a brief moment when her attention became fixed and all
absorbed in the conference going on between the interlocutors, both of whom
(she could distinguish but two voices,) seemed to be deeply interested in
some matter under consideration.

"I tell you what it is, Bill, I don't like this here bizness of runnin' off
that gal a bit. I've been thinkin' the matter over, and the more I think,
the more I don't like it."

These were the first words that Eveline heard distinctly and connectedly.
Who were they? and who was the girl? There seemed to be something familiar
about the voice of the speaker, and yet she could not tell where or when
she had heard it before. In a moment came the reply:

"I thought that point was settled. I tell you I'd take her if it was only
to spite Duffel."

"Duffel!" ejaculated Eveline in thought, and she came near making the
exclamation aloud. "Duffel! then these men know him!" In a moment the truth
flashed upon her mind. It was Duffel's friends, her captors, the ones from
whose aid she was so soon to be delivered! Yes, now she remembered the
voices! And for a moment her heart bounded in gratitude to the last
speaker, whose words she understood to express his firm resolution to
liberate her. The moment the rejoinder came from the other, however, her
mind was perplexed, but as she listened further the whole matter was
untangled:

"And wouldn't it spite Duffel just as much if we should take her back?"

"No, I don't think it would. Beside, I want to show him how completely we
can beat him at his own ga