Year: 1860

10 trouble him no more, even before nc
had given me the hint.


After this he drew his outer shawl more
closely about his neck and face, he closed
his eyes, and was not long in following
his example. Toward the middle Of the
afternoon the coach stopped at small
village, where we changed horses again,
and where four passengers got up. This
broke up the arrangement Of my friend
and self for rest, as he had to take one OF
the strangers on his seat, while took an
other upon mine, the other two occupying
the middle seat. The new comers soon
broached the subject Of the robberies,
which had been committed in that region,
and listened to gain information, il pos
sible; but they knew no more than any
one else knew. They had heard all about
it, ard were inflated with wonder.


Onc-an old iarmcr--asked Inc if !
knew anything Of the robbcr. told him
that knew but little of the affair in any
way, having been sick and unable to be
out among the folks. Then he asked my
conSumptivc friend if he knew anything
about it. The latter raised his head from
its inciining position, and was on the point
of answering. when we heard our driver,
in quick, abrupt tones, ordering some one
TO get out Of the road. ] iuStinctivcy
put my head out of the window to see
what the trouble was, and my eye was
Just quick enough to detect load Of fagots
in time to dodge back and escape them.
The road was quite narrow at this point,
and AS the .laguts were loaded very wide
ly, it was impossible for the driver to
wholly avoid them, ard the side of the
coach was swept by them quite smartly.
escaped without being touched, but hot
so my friend. heard an exclamation
| thought rather proianc Onc-lrom his
lips, and on looking towards him | saw
that one Of the fagotS had struck him over
the left eye, making quite mark upon
the pale skin. This incident turned the
conversation from the subject of the rob-
berries, and it was not again alluded to
during the day.


We reached Lowstone shortly after
dark, and | went at once to the residence
Of Mr.. Stickncy, whom found at home.
lie had been out all day and had made all
sorts Of efforts to obtain some clue 10 the
perpetrators of the robberies that were
being committed, but without effect.


lie said he could learn nothing on
which to hang suspicion. Two shops had
been robbed in his town. but he could
| get no clue TO the perpetrators. We con-
suited together, and finally proposed to
go in the morning and see another detect
i've officer named Gamblit, who resided
about twelve miles distant in the town of
Orton.


This met the views of my host, and so
We left the matter for the evening. On
the following morning VIC were up early,
and as the coach would take us directly
to Gamblits house, we chose that mode
of conveyance, and repaired at reasona.
BILE hour to the tavern for that purpose.
When We reached the inn, We found the
old farmer, ,~who had been one Of my fel.
low passengers ON the night before, step
ping about the door in a state of high ex-
citencnt. lie had been robbed of three
hundred pounds, and he was sure it must
have been done in the stage, for he had
slept with his pockct-book under his pill
low. lie had not thought to look into it
when he retired, but he had found it empty
that morning when he got up. lie said
the wallet had been taken from his pocket
and put back again he knew it. AS soon
as he saw me he was anxious | should be
searched. Of course allowed the opera
ton to be performed willingly. After the
excitement was allayed, asked where the
pale young man was who came in the
coach, and was told by the landlord that
he went away soon after the coach arrived.


My first aim was to satisfy myself that
the old man had been robbed in the stage
coach, and of this he succeeded in convin-
cling me. After this my suspicious rested
upon the consumptive man, and belcv-
cd, if could find him. should find the
rogue. So badc the landlord to keep a
sharp lookout; and also spoke to the driver
who had brought me from Sidney, and
who was now on the point of returning,
requesting him, il he saw anything of the
pale man, to see that he was secured. The
suspicious individual had only remained
at the inn few minutes on the previous
evening, and had then gone away in gig,
which had come for him; but no one could
tell what direction he had taken.


The coach for Orton soon came to the
door, and Stickney and myself took our
seats inside, the farmer having determined
to remain where he was until he heard
something about the money. There were
two other passengers inside, and two OF
three outside, but they were strangers to
me. We had gone two or three miles,
when the driver pulled UP before small
farm house, where woman and q trunk
were waiting by the garden gate The
lady was handed into the coach, and t,oh
a scat facing me, and as she turned to give
the driver some directions concerning thC
baggage, She threw her veil over her bon
net. She was pretty-vcry prctty-witl
rosy checks and sparkling eyes. Her hail
hung in glossy brown rirglets over hcl
neck and shoulders, and was a tpye o
beauty in itself looked at the bushing
checks again and into her dark luStrou,
eyes. My gaze was fixed upon this latte
point, when she caught my glance, Onc
quickly dropped her veil. At first | Gel
little ashamed at having been caugh
staring at her SO boldly but as the fac,
was hidden from sight, and | had an op
portuuity for reflection, it struck me tha
| had seen those features before.


Here was study for me, and was bur
led in it at once. Where had seen tina
faceg whispered to Stickney, aud askct
him if he had ever seen her before. HI
said he had not, and joked me for being 81
curious about a pretty face.


We stopped at place called Turner
Mills" IN the edge of Orton, to exchange
mailS and hero I iumncl ont To Sec IN,