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 the gang of whom he, the General, believed this woman to be the moving spirit. It certainly seemed that the Duke was ignorant that she was a dangerous adventuress, for, though he might have suspected her of designs against himself and yet have consented to her presence at Prior’s Tarrant, he would never have subjected Sybil to the peril of daily intercourse with a potential murderess. All along Beaumanior had shown a chivalrous disposition to protect his cousin from even minor annoyances.

“Perhaps there are two distinct crowds after Sherman’s gold bonds, and Beaumanior is in with the Ziegler lot, and Mrs. Talmage Eglinton is playing against them,” the General mused as he turned his steps back to the house. “To think that the fellow holds the key of it all, and won’t speak, is what riles me.”

The immediate dilemma confronted him whether or no to impart to his nephew the cause for alarm that had arisen about Sybil. He had been surprised at first that a man of Alec Forsyth’s shrewdness had not seen for himself a danger threatening the girl he loved; but closer examination disclosed a reason.