"You helped him through with his scheme?" answered Vernon, with a bold,
careless air.
"'Pon honor, I had nothing to do with it. Old Jaspar did it all
himself," replied Maxwell, with an oath.
"Looks a little like you, though," said Vernon, with a nonchalance which
provoked Maxwell, whose temper was not of the mildest tone.
"Nevertheless, it is none of mine, though the plan was a creditable one.
But it has brought old Jaspar into a wasp's nest."
"How's that?"
"I had my eye on the girl, ever since the colonel died. I saw through
Jaspar's plot, and a little bravado made him tell me all about it."
"Good!"
"Just so; and, as they are old clients of mine, why, I could not do less
than get them out of the scrape, and remove the stain from the name of
the fair heiress."
"How can you do it?"
"That's the point."
"Looks rather complicated."
"Exactly so; but energy and skill will accomplish wonders."
"Very true," replied Vernon, in his usual quiet manner, well knowing
that Maxwell would take the alarm if he appeared in the least
inquisitive,--so he contented himself with this simple ejaculation.
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