"Pshaw! did you not know she would desert her post? If she saw not danger, she would fear none in the day-time,--it is woman-like." "Not always; but it matters not; they are safe. Now to business." "Business!" exclaimed Jaspar, with a start, and a wild stare at the attorney. "The business is done." "Not all of it. There are other enemies in the field." "What mean you?" said Jaspar, alarmed. "Are we not safe yet?" "Not quite," replied the smooth attorney, with a quiet smile. "The game you played was a deep one, and you must needs persevere to the end." "Explain yourself, man; don't trifle with me," said Jaspar, roused by the smooth smile of the attorney; for that smile seemed to him full of meaning. "All in good time, my dear sir. Let me beg of you not to be discomposed by anything I may say to you." Jaspar sneered, but ventured no reply. "I have served you faithfully, you must acknowledge." "I will acknowledge nothing," said Jaspar, testily. "The steamer exploded, you remember," returned De Guy, with an expression of sly humor, which Jaspar did not appreciate. "I do remember it, by Heaven! But this villanous Dalhousie says my niece was not known to have been killed." "Exactly so." "Sir! Do you mean to say that you _know_ she was not lost?" "Precisely so." "By ----! Sir, you have been making a merit of this very thing." "True, but policy, policy! You will recollect you were not in a particularly amiable mood when I had the honor to introduce myself this morning. It was necessary to conciliate you, and my plan succeeded admirably. Besides, I blowed up the steamer with the intention of serving you, and I ought to have the credit of my good intentions!" "And a pretty mess you have made of it!" "Did the best that could be done, under the circumstances." "The game is up! I may as well hang myself, at once." "The very worst thing you could possibly do. A long life of happiness and usefulness is yet before you, provided you follow my advice." "Your advice!" sneered Jaspar. "I shall have the pleasure of convincing you that my advice will be the best that could possibly be given to a man in your condition." "The girl is alive, is she?" muttered Jaspar, heedless of the smooth words of his companion. "Alive and well; and, moreover, is close at hand." "The devil, she is! And you have been dallying around me all day without opening your mouth." "But remember, sir, you had another affair on your hands." "What avail to get that miserable overseer out of the way, when the girl herself is at hand?" "One thing at a time. That excellent old man, Dr. Franklin, always advised this method. The overseer is safe; now turn we to other matters." "Well, what shall be done?" said Jaspar, rising suddenly and paying his devoir to the brandy-bottle.