see one of the servants of the mansion--a seamstress, or one
of the maids, perhaps--but he was totally unprepared for the vision of
girlish loveliness that met his gaze.

While he had gazed with fascinated eyes at the faultlessly beautiful
face of Bernardine, his heart had gone from him in one great, mad throb
of passionate love.

"This lovely bird has walked directly into my drag-net," he muttered.
"Why should she not be mine, whether she loves or _hates_ me?"

CHAPTER LIV.

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,"
resp