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Rh "Ha! don't dare to talk to me in this fashion, Rover!" stormed Josiah Crabtree, glaring at the helpless youth before him.

"Will you let me speak to Mrs. Stanhope?"

"And poison her mind against me? Indeed not!"

"Where is she?"

"She is in safe hands."

"In your hands?"

"No, in the hands of a very estimable lady, who is doing all that is possible to make her comfortable."

"Is she well?"

"She is—er—a little bit fatigued by her journey, that is all. She will be quite herself after she has rested for a few days."

"Mr. Crabtree, you had no right to abduct her."

"Who says I abducted her? She accompanied me willingly, Rover."

"I do not believe that, and never will believe it. You mesmerized or hypnotized her, or something of the sort. I know your tricks of old."

"Ha! don't dare to talk to me in that fashion!" stormed Josiah Crabtree. "Don't you dare to do it!" And coming closer he shook his fist in Dick's face.

"You'd not do that if I were free, Josiah Crabtree!" cried the youth, defiantly.