CHAPTER XXI.
Gossip from one or two quarters, which reached Captain Nugent's ears through the medium of his sister, concerning the preparations for his son's marriage, prevented him from altering his mind with regard to the visits of Jem Hardy and showing that painstaking young man the door.
Indeed, the nearness of the approaching nuptials bade fair to eclipse, for the time being, all other grievances, and when Hardy paid his third visit he made a determined but ineffectual attempt to obtain from him some information as to the methods by which he hoped to attain his ends.
His failure made him suspicious, and he hinted pretty plainly that he had no guarantee that his visitor was not obtaining admittance under false pretences.
"Well, I'm not getting much out of it," returned Hardy, frankly.
"I wonder you come," said his hospitable host.
"I want you to get used to me," said the other.
The captain started and eyed him uneasily; the remark seemed fraught with hidden meaning.

"And then ?" he inquired, raising his bushy eyebrows.
"Then perhaps I can come oftener." The captain gave him up.

He sank back in his chair and crossing his legs smoked, with his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

It was difficult to know what to do with a young man who was apparently destitute of any feelings of shame or embarrassment.

He bestowed a puzzled glance in his direction and saw that he was lolling in the chair with an appearance of the greatest ease and enjoyment.