The time which hung so heavily upon her hands was flying rapidly, and at
last only one week intervened ere the eventful day. Hugh had gone down
to Frankfort on some errand for 'Lina, and as he passed the
penitentiary, he thought, as he always did now, of the convict Sullivan.
Was he there still, and if so, why could he not see him face to face,
and question him of the past?
Three hours later and Hugh Worthington was confronting the famous negro
stealer, who gave him back glance for glance, and stood as unflinchingly
before him as if there were upon his conscience no Adah Hastings, who,
by his connivance, had been so terribly wronged. At the mention of her
name, however, his bold assurance left him. There was a quivering of
the muscles about his mouth, and his whole manner was indicative of
strong emotion as he asked if Hugh knew aught of her since that fatal
night, and then listened while Hugh told what he knew and where she had
gone.
"To Terrace Hill--into the Richards family; this was no chance
arrangement?" and the convict spoke huskily, asking next for the doctor;
and still Hugh did not suspect the magnitude of the plot, and answered
by telling how Dr. Richards was coming soon to make 'Lina his wife.
Hugh was not looking at his companion then, or he would have been
appalled by the livid, fearful expression which for an instant flashed
on his face. Accustomed to conceal his feelings, the convict did so now;
and asked calmly when the wedding would take place. Hugh named the day
and hour, and then asked if Sullivan knew aught of Adah's husband.
"Yes, everything," and the convict said vehemently, "Young man, I cannot
tell you now--there is not time, but wait a little and you shall know
the whole. You are interested in Adah. The wedding, you say, is Thursday
night. My time expires on Tuesday. Don't think me impudent if I ask a
list of the invited guests. Will you give it to me?"
Surely there was some deep mystery here, and he made no reply till
Sullivan again asked for the list. The original paper on which Hugh had
first written the few names of those to be invited chanced to be in his
vest pocket, and mechanically taking it out he passed it to the convict,
who expressed his thanks, and added: "Don't say that you have seen me,
or that I shall be present at that wedding. I shall only come for good,
but I shall surely be there."