That Hazen was antagonistic to him he had always known; but that he was regarded by him with suspicion he had not realized till now.  Hazen suspicious of him! that meant what?  He wished that he had Mr. Harper at his side to enlighten him.

It was now five o’clock and he was sitting in his room awaiting the usual report from the river, when a quick tap at his door was followed by the entrance of the very man he was thinking about.  He rose eagerly to receive him, determined, however, to allow no inconsiderate impulse to drive him into unnecessary speech.

“I have already said too much,” he reminded himself in self-directed monition.  “It’s time he did some of the talking.”

Hazen seemed willing enough to do this.  Taking the seat proffered him, he opened the conversation as follows: 

“Mr. Ransom, I have been doing you an injustice.  I do not consider it necessary to tell you just how I have found this out, but I am now convinced that you are as much in the dark as myself in regard to this unfortunate affair, and are as willing as I am to take all justifiable means to enlighten yourself.  I own that at first I thought it more than probable you were in collusion with the girl here to deceive me.  That I wouldn’t stand.  I’m glad to find you as truly a victim of this mystery as myself.”

Ransom straightened himself.

“If this is an apology,” he returned, “I am willing to accept it in the spirit in which it is proffered.  But I should like something more than apology from you.  Candor for candor;—­your whole story in return for mine.”

“I’m afraid it would be a trifle tedious,—­my whole story,” smiled Hazen.  “If you mean such part of it as concerns Georgian’s peculiar actions and the complications with which we are at this moment struggling, I can only repeat what I have already told you, both at the St. Denis in New York and here.  I am Georgian’s returned brother, saved from the jaws of hell to see my own country again.  I arrived in New York on the tenth.  Naturally, after securing a room at the hotel, I took up the papers.  They were full of the approaching marriage of Miss Hazen.  I recognized my sister’s name, though not her splendor, for we were the sole survivors of a poor country family and I knew nothing of the legacy I am now told she received.  Anxious to see her, I attended the ceremony.  She recognized me.  I had not expected this, and feeling old affections revive, I followed her friends to the house and was presented to them and to you.  What I whispered to her on this occasion were my assumed name and the place where I was to be found.  My changed countenance called for explanations, for which a bridal reception offered no opportunity.  Besides, as I have already said, I stood in sore need of a definite amount of money.  I meant her to come and see me, but I did not expect her to play a trick on you in order to do so.  This had its birth in the to me unaccountable mystery embodied in the girl you call Anitra, but whom I’m not ready yet to name.  For when I do, action must follow conviction and that without mercy or delay.”