Part 29 (2/2)
She was about to say that his word was not worth giving, but restrained herself. If she angered Baxter, there was no telling what the fellow might do.
”Is this a plot of Josiah Crabtree's?” she asked sharply.
Baxter started. ”How did you--” he began, and stopped short.
”You had better not ask any questions.”
”Which means that you will not answer any?”
”You can take it that way if you want to, Dora.”
”It was a mean trick you played on me.”
”Let's talk of something else. We are going to leave the _Falcon_ soon, and I want to know if you are going with us quietly?”
”Leave the _Falcon_?”
”Yes, at Cayuga.”
”Are we there already?” gasped Dora in dismay.
”We soon will be.”
”I don't wish to go with you.”
”But we want you to go. If you go quietly all will be well--and I'll promise to see you safe home in less than twenty-four hours.”
”You wish to keep me away from home that length of time?”
”If you must know, yes.”
”And why? So Josiah Crabtree can--can--” She did not finish.
”So that Mr. Crabtree can interview your mother--yes,” put in Mumps, who had just appeared. ”Baxter, there's no use in beating around the bush. Crabtree is bound to marry Mrs. Stanhope, and Dora may as well know it now as later.”
CHAPTER XVIII
STILL IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY
”That man will never marry my mother with my consent!” burst out the unhappy girl.
”She probably won't ask your consent,” sneered Mumps.
”She would not marry him if I was with her. He only has an influence over her when I am away.”
”Exactly--and he knows that,” put in Baxter.
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