Part 48 (2/2)
”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--” d.i.c.k could not go on, for the lump that came into his throat.
”I do mean it.”
”What?”
”I mean that she has become the wife of Mr. Josiah Crabtree!” cried Tad Sobber. ”So if you ever marry Dora Stanhope you'll have Mr. Crabtree for your father-in-law.”
CHAPTER XXVIII AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL
At the announcement of Tad Sobber, d.i.c.k could only stare at the speaker for the time being.
Was it really true that Dora's mother had married the disreputable Josiah Crabtree after all? It made his heart sick to think of such a state of affairs.
”You are telling me the truth?” he asked at last.
”Certainly.”
”I don't believe you, Tad Sobber.”
”Very well-you can ask Mr. Crabtree-and Mrs. Stanhope, when you see her.”
”If she married Crabtree she was forced to do it.”
”No, she married him willingly.”
”I'll never believe it. Where is she now?”
”I am not here to answer questions, d.i.c.k Rover. You and your brothers came here I suppose to get the best of us. Well, you are nicely caught.”
”What are you going to do with me?”
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