When Duffel left the Cave, as shown in the preceding chapter, he went immediately to the place where he had appointed to meet Bill and Dick, boiling over with rage all the way, and “breathing out vengeance” on the head of Eveline.  He had entered her room so confident of triumphing, that the humiliation of defeat was tenfold greater than if he had doubted of success.  And then the degradation to which he had been forced to abase himself!  The very remembrance of it set his blood to boiling!  He cursed himself for his cowardice; he cursed Eveline for her manifestation of courage and for everything else she had done.  To be forced to kneel and beg his life of a woman! and that woman his own prisoner, on his own terms, in his own dungeon!  The thought burned into his very soul! and the more he thought the fiercer became his wrath.

In this frame of mind he reached the rendezvous, and found his accomplices awaiting his arrival, for they had work of their own on hand and did not wish to be detained too long by their old leader but now secret foe.

“I’m glad to find you here,” he said, as soon as he came up, and his tools saw in a moment that something unusual had happened or some extraordinary work was to be done.

“We are always punctual,” Bill replied.

“And it is well you are this time; for there is work to do immediately.  I want you to collect together as many of the members of the League as can be found, and assemble them in the cave by midnight.”

“Why, what in the world has happened?” inquired Bill in some alarm, lest his own scheme should be frustrated by these demonstrations on the part of Duffel.

“Not much of anything; indeed I may as well tell you at once, that this movement has reference to Miss Mandeville.  I have just returned from the cave where I called upon her, and from her obstinacy and a number of hints thrown out, I am fully persuaded she expects deliverance from some quarter; and I am determined to put an end to such anticipations without further delay.  I think the sooner she is conquered the better.  I should have proceeded to extremes at once, but I wished to persuade her into a voluntary marriage, so that I might come in for the old man’s money; but she has found some means of arming herself and is firmly bent on having her own way, while I am as fully resolved she shall not.  But I must have a dip into the old gentleman’s purse; that’s another fixed fact; and so I am going to marry the girl whether she will or not; and I want you, Bill, to act the parson.  I know you can do it.  Disguise yourself and—.  But you know all the details as well as any reverend pastor in the land.  Do it up right, and give each of us a certificate in due form, so that it will stand in law; and you shall be liberally rewarded; yes, and promoted, too.  You shall not serve me for nothing.  Come, now, away as fast as possible to get the men together, and report to me at midnight precisely, in this place.”