On this occasion he
not only secured the envelope containing the three thousand dollars,
hidden in his mother's black leather trunk, but from a place of
concealment he was forced to hear such damning talk regarding himself
that he again stole away, fully convinced that his wild design to
charge his uncle with the crime would be absolutely suicidal.
A sharp exclamation from the girl brought him out of his last fit of
abstraction. They were quite near to the tents.
"We are late," she cried nervously. "I didn't think of the time. The
band is playing the waltz--that's the second piece before the
tournament. We must hurry. Oh, I _do_ hope father has not missed us!"
There was abject terror in her voice.
"I'm so sorry," he murmured, apprehending the outcome for her alone.
"We must make for the rear of the dressing-tent. Hurry, Christine."
They broke into a run, intending to make a wide circuit of the main-
tops. She was breathless with anxiety. He grasped her arm to help her
across the rough ground.
"If he knew, he would drive you away," she cried. She was not thinking
of herself.
Near the dressing-tent they were met by Mrs.
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