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260 felt bruised and shook up, the welfare of Dora's mother was uppermost in his mind.

"I am not here to answer your questions."

"You won't tell me?"

"Not a word."

"Do you realize that you and Josiah Crabtree have committed a big crime?"

"We have done nothing wrong."

"Don't you call stealing and abducting wrong?"

"I haven't stolen anything. The fortune from Treasure Isle belonged to my uncle and me—the Stanhopes had no right to it whatsoever."

"I think otherwise—and so did the courts."

"Bah! Your side didn't treat me fairly, you bought up the judges! I know you!" stormed Tab Sobber. "The fortune was ours! Now I've got it—and I mean to keep it!"

"And what of Mrs. Stanhope?"

"Mrs. Stanhope has acted like a sensible woman."

"Acted like a sensible woman? What do you mean?"

"She has done what she should have done years ago—she has given her heart to the man who loves her."

"Sobber, you don't mean" Dick could not go on, for the lump that came into his throat.