Year: 1870




culate to leave, tied hand and foot, OH the
Bank floor, until you are found there in the
morning"


Foster Houston stopped his rapid walk UP
and down the room, and took his boots out
of the closet.


" Fair play, Squire" said Bixby, laying
n hand on the cashiers arm as he sat down
and kicked off his slipper. 60 I've told YOU
the whole story, when might have carried
out my plan without telling word. Now
what are you going to do?''


''Im going to order stout bolt to be
put on my front door Immediately. and to
deposit the bank keys in the safe at Felton's
store"


" You will think better of it if you will
Just sit still and hear me through" replied
the visitor. "Don't you see that will lust
show our hand to the gang who are on the
watch, and they will only leave Elmfield to
rob some other bank and make their for
tunes. Moreover the plot never would be
believed in the village, and such way of
meeting it would make no sensation at all
in print. No, Mr. Houghton, you are
cashier of the bank, and it is your business
to protect your property. / am constable
at Elmfield, and it is my duty to capture
the burglars. propose to do it in a way
that the whole State shall ring with my
brilliant management of the matter, and
yours, too, of course, so far as your part
goes. The programme is complete and YOU
have only to fall i'm


"Well, Mr.. Bixby," said the elder gentle
man, again surrendering to his companions
superior energy and determination of char
actcr: "and what is the programme


"As far as you are concerned, simply to
remain passive" said the rural constable.
" You are to show no knowledge of expect
ing the visit, and after proper display of
reluctance, you are to go with the burglars,
with the keys in your hand. IF were to
arrest the rascals now, should have no
thing to charge them with, and could only
frighten them out of town. When the bank
is entered the crime is complete shall be
on the watch, with two strong fel-
lows have secured to help me who served
i'll my company, afraid of nothing, and not
smart enough to claim the whole credit
when the job is done. When you are fairly
inside the bank we shall pop out from be-
hind the bowling alley, guard the door,
flash our lanterns in their faces and over
power them at once. 1t sounds very short
now but it will easily fill column in the
papers,"


" Mr. Bixby," said Foster Houghton, with
good deal of deliheartive emphasis. ..I
have always thought you man of sense
l think so now. Do you suppose / am 60
ing to stand quietly by and see a couple Of
ruffians tie a a gag in the mouth of my wife,
at her age, when know can prevent it
boforehand?''


No, sir, expect no such thing" said
BiIDy, not at all embarrassed. 81 expect
cd like as not you would bring up some
such objection, so ] have provided for it
in advance. John Fletcher's wife is very
sick; they have gone the rounds of all the
folks on our street, taking turns watching
there; tonight they came to me and said:
BiXby, cannot you find us somebody to
watch p and I said 7 knew Just the one who
would he glad to help ''neighbor. So I
will deliver the message to Mrs Houghton.
and you needn't have n mite of anxiety for
her; up there, she is as safe and comfort
able as if she were twenty miles away"


While her husband yet hesitated Mrs.
Houghton rc-entered the room; and Bixby,
quick to secure an advantage, was ready at
themoment with his petition.'


"Good evening, Mrs Houghton. Been
waiting very patient for you to come in. l
called to see if you felt able and willing to
set up tonight, along with John Fletcher's
little girl. The child don't get any better,
and Mrs. Fletcher is just about sick abed
herself with care and worry"