"
"What? Cannot take it?"
"Of course not! Do you suppose that either my brother or I will take the
fortune that our father stole--yes, STOLE from him? After he has been
living almost in poverty all these years and we in luxury--on HIS money?
Of course we shall not take it!"
"But, Caroline, I imagine you will have to take it. I understand your
feelings, but I think he will compel you to take it."
"I shall NOT!" she sprang to her feet. "Of course I shall not! Never!
never!"
"What's that you're never goin' to take, Caroline? Measles? or another
trip down in these parts? I hope 'tain't the last, 'cause I've been
cal'latin' you'd like it well enough to come again."
Caroline turned. So did Sylvester. Captain Elisha was standing in the
doorway, his hand on the knob. He was smiling broadly, but as he looked
at the two by the fire he ceased to smile.
"What's all this?" he asked, suspiciously. "Caroline, what--Sylvester,
what have you been tellin' her?"
Neither answered at once. The captain looked from one to the other.
"Well, what's up?" he demanded. "What's the matter?"
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
"What's up?" he repeated. "Humph! well, I should say the jig was up. The
murder's out. The cat is no longer in the bag.
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