49373    The dog he bought in London from Ross and Mangles the dealers in Fulham Road.

49374    It was the strongest and most savage in their possession.

49375    He brought it down by the North Devon line, and walked a great distance over the moor, so as to get it home without exciting any remarks.

49376    He had already on his insect hunts learned to penetrate the Grimpen Mire, and so had found a safe hiding-place for the creature.

49377    Here he kennelled it and waited his chance.

49378    'But it was some time coming.

49379    The old gentleman could not be decoyed outside of his grounds at night.

49380    Several times Stapleton lurked about with his hound, but without avail.

49381    It was during these fruitless quests that he, or rather his ally, was seen by peasants, and that the legend of the demon dog received a new confirmation.

49382    He had hoped that his wife might lure Sir Charles to his ruin, but here she proved unexpectedly independent.

49383    She would not endeavour to entangle the old gentleman in a sentimental attachment which might deliver him over to his enemy.

49384    Threats and even, I am sorry to say, blows failed to move her.

49385    She would have nothing to do with it, and for a time Stapleton was at a deadlock.

49386    'He found a way out of his difficulties through the chance that Sir Charles, who had conceived a friendship with him, made him the minister of his charity in the case of this unfortunate woman, Mrs Laura Lyons.

49387    By representing himself as a single man, he acquired complete influence over her, and he gave her to understand that in the event of her obtaining a divorce from her husband he would marry her.