Year: 1874

answered the signal from the equally rigid son.
They sat some minutes in mutual contempla-
ton, and now and then looking into each others
faces as indifferently as strangers in BARRIERS
shop, and each looking away to pursue their
reveries complacently in the end, as II there
we're no human being present but himself.


"Has pains been taken lately TO ascertain
whether the money bas not already been moved,
and il not, when it is likely 70 be-? said the
Wolf finishing his musing.


I'VE are posted down to three days ago, ;
SAID the father. everything was all snug there.
and It was thought that about the first week in
November VIII be the time Of It's removal


We'll. We are hard on 10 that now, replied
the Wolf, and il il is 10 he done at al, we
have no time to spare. Who gave you your in
formation ~


:" Bill Speights."


Then It may be relied or. 7 never Knew
him to make mistake"


Nor either said the old gentleman with
the cast-iron face. except on one OCCASION
when he took ministers word that ne had no
money, all the while the hound had secret
belt OF Eve hundred dollars next to his person. -"


"Speights consoled himself. however. said
the Wolf, by the reflection that he made the
Clergyman swear TO ask the prayers OF the
church for him the next Sunday morning. and
to compliment him on bis manners from bis
pulpit, as a condition OF release


While the younger Long was yet speaking
there came a knock at the door. IN a signal that
was understood, and the Old gentleman with
the grizzly "chevaux de frze" ebou: hls Jaws
went to the door.


The man he let in was rather vel dressed
and Of tolerabIy good appearance. His age
was twenty-eight his height was about FIVE
feet eight inches, his complexion fair and
features tolerably regular. The scar. however.
which ran deeply across his forehead above the
right eye, and the gorge made in the left side
Of his mouth, by the violent loss os TWO front
teeth, gave proof that his life had not been
career Of ease, but on the contrary L had been
one of strife.


The appearance Of the man was hailed with
some surprise by John Long, who recognized
him as an old acquaintance Jack Baker, the
vidette of Washington Grove. whom we could
not describe before in consequence OF the dark
ness which dwelt around him at the time OF his
introduction toIour readers along with Gran
vile Young.


What brings you this way so early" said
the Wolf, after the old man had asked Baker
to sit down.


why, replied Baker, when YOU left Ogle
county Fox and Birch lex me into Job with
them at Troy Grove which took only one night.
and from there we struck for Mount Carroll 10
this direction. On the road, however, Birch
became snitten with farmers daughter, and,
Notwithstanding the necessity of haste. nothing
would do but he must stop and play the fool
He wanted Fox and to remain a, tavern
with him, hard by, and promised if we would
he would accomplish his object in a single day,
or day and night at furtherest, but Fox
would not listen to such an idea for a moment.
Seeing we were determined to go, Birch bor-
rowed my watch and chain to make show with
and we left HIM behind. On our way to Galena
Fox cursed HIM for fool and offered me
share IN the Dixon land Office sight, which he
said now was all ready. in Bob Birch's place."


- / accept the amendment" said the Wolf
promptly . If man will neglect business for
pleasure he should be made to pay for it. Fox
acted wisely, for 1 know as well as he that
Birch's intrigue ,is as likely to detain him q
whole month as a day. But where is Fox z"


" He stopped at Galena for an hour or two
TO purchase some fresh percussion caps and
fine glazed powder in anticipation Of our
wants, said Baker.


1t was the middle Of the afternoon when
Baker had arrived at owen Longs. and at darl.
Fox presented himself at the same place. \
further consultation was then held as to tie
robbery of Frnk and Walkers stage. and it
was decided that Baker should set out that very
night at dusk and that on tie next day his COM
rades should follow by different trails, with a
direction behind that If Birch arrived in season
able time, be should be sent forward to the
scene OF the exploit.





On the second, of November a very genteel
looking person, dressed in a full suit OF black
and covered with cloak of the same color.
entered the Office at Dixon and asked to look
at the maps surveyed for public purchase. The
Receiver was struck by the mans appearance,
though he knew not why, and as he handed
him the scroll subjected him to very narrow
scrutiny The stranger observed the keen
glance of the officer, and, leaning over the
desk commenced to pore over the roll OF parch-
ment. After he had been engaged thus for
few moments he turned to the Receiver, who
was sitting at the stove and entered into con-
versation. The prospects of the country and
the eligibility of marketable districts here and
there were, OF course the natural prellminaries
of the conversation. From that it travelled to
more general TOPICS and at length, when the
Receiver seemed to be disarmed of his caution,
the stranger in the cloak while conversing
about the progress Of Chicago quietly asked
him when he intended to go there The land
officer was about to answer without hesitation.
but there was something IN the vanishing sound
OF the strangers inquiry which struck his mind
as singular, and almost without knowing why
he hestated for an instant. But his intention
had gotten too far ahead to be withdrawn lis
answer was formed-to use n common phrase.
1t was on the tip of his tongue-and could not
be withheld or changed without causing him to |