main_."

"Well, the opinion that I formed of Wiggins is that he is altogether too
shrewd and deep a man to undertake any thing without seeing his way
clear to success!"

"The man's mad!" cried Sir Lionel. "How can any sane man hope to succeed
in this? Why, no one can set up a private prison-house in that style.
If the law allowed that, I know of one person who could set up a
private jail, and keep it pretty well filled, too."

"An idea strikes me," said Leon, "which may explain this on other
grounds than madness, and which is quite in accordance with Wiggins's
character. He has been the agent of the estates for these ten years, and
though he was very close and uncommunicative about the extent of his
powers and the nature of his connection with Dalton, yet it is evident
that he has had Dalton's confidence to the highest degree; and I think
that before Dalton's unfortunate business, he must have had some
influence over him. Perhaps he has persuaded Dalton to make him the
guardian of his daughter."

"Well, what good would that do?" asked Sir Lionel.

"Do you know any thing about the law of guardianship?"

"Not much."

"Well, it seems to me, from what I have heard, that a guardian has a
great many very peculiar rights. He stands in a father's place. He can
choose such society for his ward as he likes, and can shut her up, just