With this in his hand, he proceeded to the
out-building, to satisfy himself of the security of his prisoners; but
Vernon had fled,--the wooden door of the shed had not been proof against
his art. Hatchie was not disconcerted by this incident. Vernon, he was
aware, was only a subordinate, who did his evil deeds for hire, and
against him he bore no ill will. But it immediately occurred to him that
the ruffian might have liberated Maxwell, and this would have utterly
deranged his present plans. Taking from the shed a long rope, he
proceeded to the other side of the cabin, where he had secured the
attorney to the tree. To his great satisfaction he found the prisoner
secure. Vernon did not see him, or was too intent on his own safety to
bestow a thought upon his late employer.
Hatchie reached the scene of Maxwell's humiliation. Coolly seating
himself on a log near the discomfited lawyer, and regarding him with a
look of contempt, he proceeded to examine the fastenings of the
carpet-bag. Maxwell spoke not; his pride was still "above par," and he
returned Hatchie's contemptuous glances with a scowl of scorn and
hatred.
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