that the restriction of her liberty is too heavy a price to pay
for protection and support. The little rogue! Think of her actually
threatening, in her good-humored way, to cite me before the nearest
justice to show cause why I detained her in my house!"

"Well, you could easily do that, I suppose, and she could no longer
oppose your authority."

"No; that is just what I couldn't do; I couldn't show any legal rights
to detain Capitola."

"Humph! That complicates the case very much!"

"Yes; and much more than you think; for I wish to keep Capitola until
she is of legal age. I do not wish that she should fall into the hands
of her perfidious guardian until I shall be able to bring legal proof of
his perfidy."

"Then it appears that this girl has received foul play from her
friends?"

"Foul play! I should think so! Gabriel Le Noir has very nearly put his
neck into a halter."

"Gabriel Le Noir! Colonel Le Noir, our neighbor!" exclaimed the
minister.

"Exactly so. Parson, you have given me your word as a Christian minister
to be silent forever concerning this interview, or until I give you
leave to speak of it."

"Yes, major, and I repeat my promise; but, indeed, sir, you astound me!"

"Listen, and let astonishment rise to consternation. I will tell you who
Capitola is. You, sir, have been in this neighborhood only ten years,
and, consequently, you know Gabriel Le Noir only as the proprietor of
Hidden House, a widower with a grown son----"

"And as a gentleman of irreproachable reputation, in good standing both
in the church and in the county."

"Ex-actly! A man that pays his pew rent, gives good dinners and takes
off his hat to women and clergymen! Well, sir, this gentleman of
irreproachable manners and morals--this citizen of consideration in the
community--this member in good standing with the church--has qualified
himself for twenty years' residence in the penitentiary, even if not for
the exaltation of a hangman's halter!"

"Sir, I am inexpressibly shocked to hear you say so, and I must still
believe that there is some great mistake."

"Wait until I tell you! I, Ira Warfield, have known Gabriel Le Noir as a
villain for the last eighteen years. I tell you so without scruple, and
hold myself ready to maintain my words in field or forum, by sword or
law! Well, having known him so long for such a knave, I was in no manner
surprised to discover some six months ago that he was also a criminal,
and only nee