"This is all rubbish," said Leon. "You are not what you pretend to be. You are not her guardian. You are an interloper and a swindler. You shall remain here no longer. I am her husband, and I order you off the premises at once."
"You are not her husband, and I am her guardian," said Wiggins, calmly. "I was appointed by her father on his death-bed."
"I don't believe it. Besides, your name is not Wiggins at all."
[Illustration: DOTARD! DO YOU TALK OF VENGEANCE?]
"Wiggins of Liverpool, perhaps, but there are more Wigginses in the world than that."
"You will not go to a court of law. That is my task. And mark me," continued Wiggins, with thrilling emphasis, "when a court of law takes up the subject of the Dalton estates or the Dalton name, then it will be the turn for you and yours to tremble."
"When Dalton died," continued Wiggins, "he left his papers. Among them was a letter of which he himself told me. If he had produced that letter on his trial, he would have escaped, and the guilty man would have been punished. The letter was written by the real forger. It inclosed the forged check to Dalton, asking him to draw the money and pay certain pressing debts. The writer of that letter was your own father--Lionel Dudleigh!"
"It's a lie!" cried Leon, starting up, with terrible excitement in his face--an excitement, too, which was mingled with unspeakable dread.
"It's true," said Wiggins, calmly, "and the letter can be proved."
"Perhaps not; but there is something more. With the murder trial you are no doubt familiar. In fact, I take it for granted that you are familiar with Dalton's case _in all its bearings_," added Wiggins, in a tone of deep meaning. "In that murder trial, then, you are aware that a Maltese cross was found on the scene of murder, and created much excitement. You know what part it had in the trial. I now inform you that I have proof which can show beyond a doubt that this Maltese cross was the property of your father--Lionel Dudleigh."
"It's a lie--an infernal lie!" said Leon, in a hoarse voice. His excitement had now become terrible.
"It's true--all true," continued Wiggins. "It can all be proved by a witness that can not be impeached. Yes, Leon Dudleigh, you yourself would be forced to accept the testimony of that witness."