"Who? Who?" he
stammered.
"It is Duval and Waterman," said Montague.
"Dan Waterman!" It was Lucy who spoke.
Montague turned to look at her, and saw her eyes, wide open with
terror.
"Yes, Lucy," he said.
"Oh, oh!" she gasped, choking; then suddenly she cried wildly, "Tell
me! I don't understand--what does it mean?"
"It means that I am ruined," exclaimed Ryder.
"Ruined?" she echoed.
"Absolutely!" he said. "They've got me! I knew they were after me,
but I didn't think they'd dare!"
He ended with a furious imprecation; but Montague had kept his eyes
fixed upon Lucy. It was her suffering that he cared about.
He heard her whisper, under her breath, "It's for me!" And then
again, "It's for me!"
"Lucy," he began; but suddenly she put up her hand, and rushed
toward him.
"Hush! he doesn't know!" she panted breathlessly. "I haven't told
him."
And then she turned toward Ryder again. "Oh, surely there must be
some way," she cried, wildly. "Surely--"
Ryder had sunk down in a chair and buried his face in his hands.
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