doleful as were my spirits, and summoned the Landlord in as melancholy a voice, as though I meant to bid him to my own funeral. But before I had had time to unfold him my sorry plight, I was startled by a great thump on the shoulder, and turning round angrily, for I was in no mood to brook familiarity from strangers, I caught sight of no less a person than Sir Jocelyn Gillibrand himself.

"Luke Wright, by all that's strange!" cried he. "What wind blows you hither, my lad?"

And-"Eh, your Honor!" ejaculated I, "who'd ha' thought of lighting on you so far from home?"

"Why," returned he, with a darkening face, "when a man would fain explore, there's nothing like going to the fountain head. Track a river to its source, my lad, if you would know whence the stream comes. But what adventure brings you here?"

"Oh, Sir Jocelyn," cried I with a groan, the memory of my woes returning upon me, "you may well talk about adventures, for I would fain ha' been without. I have been robbed," I cried, wringing my hands, "robbed in a great wood some miles from here, and all I had took from me. The ruffians even stole my horse, but he came back to me again, though he had to swim the river."

""Twas Bax Wood, I reckon," cried the Landlord eagerly; he and many more had gathered round to listen to my tale. "I'll go warrant the rogues were hid in the caves there. They used to be much favored by such gentry-aye, they've sheltered many a bad character, even in my time. You'd have a chance o' catching the rascals very like if you was to go back to look for 'em," he added excitedly.

"But I heard 'em ride off," I returned gloomily. "One of 'em was mounted on a splendid horse and galloped off Exeter way, and the other,

who was on foot when they first beset me, crossed the river on my horse. 1 know not by what chance it was the poor beast managed to get back to me."

"Well," said the Landlord, scratching his head, "if they be gone, they be gone; but for all that it might be worth your while to search them caves. They might ha' gone back to 'em when they thought you out of the way," he added, ruminatively-"very like they would, for in times past Bax Wood caves was as good as a lodging-house to highway robbers and such like. It do seem a strange thing now," he went on, scratching his chin pensively, "as you should be set upon like that, young Master. We haven't a-had a robber on the high road here this many years now. Nay, not since the French Devil was hanged at Heavitree ten or eleven year ago. Did you ever hear of the French Devil, Sir?" he asked, turning to Sir Jocelyn.

"Not I," returned Sir Jocelyn, "there be devils enough common to all nations, but I never heard of a French one in particular."

"Well, they called him the French Devil," resumed the Landlord in an explanatory tone, "because he was thought to ha' come over in a French fishing smack; aye, and often when he shot his man he'd out wi' some strange word, 'Morbloo' or some such thing, and in complexion he was as black as your Honor's self-craving your Honor's pardon. But I myself reckon he came from-his own place, for there was no knowin' where to have him; one day here, another there, and he'd no more respect for the Quality than the common folk, and 'ud as lief rob a Bishop as a farmer."

"Well, but they hanged him, you say," said Sir Jocelyn impatiently, "so he's disposed of. They must be clever folks in these parts to catch and hang a Devil."

"Dear, to be sure! Yes, Sir, they hanged him right enough, and his skeleton might long be seen swinging at the cross-roads 'twixt here and Heavitree; folks used to go miles round to avoid passing near the place. 'Twas thought he was as wicked a customer dead as alive, and brought ill luck to all who went a-nigh him. But this year the bones was spirited away-all in a minute, so to speak-there one day and gone the next. As like as not his Master had come and fetched himand a good job too! I've no likin' for such folks, and I'm sorry to hear there's more of 'em about; for if ye believe me, your Honor, they do a deal of harm to an honest house. The Quality do push on to the big towns instead of baiting at a quiet place like this; and the poor bodies won't stop to have more nor a glass or two, for fear of being overtaken when they be in liquor."

"Come, enough prattle," interrupted Sir Jocelyn. "What say you, Luke? Are we to go and explore these caves?"

"Well, if I was you I'd go and have a look, Sirs," put in the Host, and the bystanders took up the cry warmly.

In spite of the Landlord's condemnation of highway robbers I had some doubts of his sincerity in the matter; and I looked appealingly at Sir Jocelyn, fearing to be despatched on a fool's errand. I had often heard that the country folk favored these gentlemen of the road, who were indeed frequently good-natured and generous with other folk's money, and were, moreover, rollicking, jovial, dare-devil fellows; and I thought the proposed expedition might be designed to put me off the scent. But Sir Jocelyn clapped me on the back again, and declared he would ride forth with me that minute.

"Let us have fresh horses, Landlord," cried he, "for ours are weary. We shall want four of 'em, for myself and

my two servants and this young man; and pray let us have a capable guide who may conduct us to these caves."

"Is it worth while, think you?" said I despondingly. "Might it not be better for me to ride at once to Exeter and make my complaint there."

"And let the rascals get clear away meanwhile?" retorted he. "No, indeed! Come, let us start at once-we can at least explore these hiding-places, and if we draw a blank we may yet come upon their tracks. The footpad at least cannot have proceeded so very far."

"I am truly grateful to your Honor," I returned, "for your kindness in helping me, and I agree 'tis best to set out at once. By the way," said I, turning to mine host, "should a man come asking for me here will you have the kindness to keep him until I return? name is John Dewey. A country fellow," said I, with as casual an air as I could assume, "I have a little business to transact with him."

His

"Ah, to be sure, I know him well; he is an honest lad and like to do well in the world, they say. His Mother was woman to a Lady of Quality, and

But at this moment mine host was interrupted by the entrance of the ostler, who desired to know which horses should be got ready for the expedition.

During the bustle which ensued, Sir Jocelyn turned to me and again inquired the object of my journey, speaking with the same impatient air I had already noticed.

""Tis surely new," he added, with a sneer, "that you should be so well worth robbing."

"Oh, Sir Jocelyn," cried I, much agitated, "'tis no money o' mine-you may be sure of that. "Tis a large sum in bank notes which, by Mrs. Ullathorne's order, I was to deliver over to her messenger here for the payment

of some debts of hers. I think no harm of telling you this much, which is indeed all that I know myself; though by her wish the matter is to be kept as secret as may be."

"So!" said Sir Jocelyn, under his breath, "more mysteries! You are honored indeed, Luke, to have such confidence placed in you."

And thereupon he fell to pacing the room moodily.

"Nay, but am I not disgraced," I cried piteously, "not to have guarded my trust better? But they were two against me, and though I swear I cared little for their pistols-indeed I had liefer they had shot me-how could I contrive to hold my own against them once they got me down?"

"How, indeed?" he answered absently. "But courage, Luke! We'll track the rascals yet and bring them to justice. I have all but succeeded in my quest," he added with a fierce laugh, "and my company should bring you luck."

We had but just time to swallow a morsel of food before word came that the horses were ready; upon which, mounting in all haste, we set forth upon our search.

The moon had now risen, but being in its last quarter gave not much light. One of the folks from the inn, however, carried a lantern and moreover knew the road well enough to have guided us in the dark; the horses were fresh, the air tingling cold, and, in spite of my anxiety and weariness, I could not help enjoying the swift ride into the night.

In an incredibly short time, as it seemed, we reached Bax Wood, and here Sir Jocelyn called a halt.

"Now," said he, "since we are so numerous a company" (we were six or seven, I think) "I propose that two or three who know the place should go forward quietly to reconnoitre; and the rest of us must hold ourselves in readi

ness to hasten to their assistance as soon as they have marked the quarry. 'Twere better to surprise than scare these gentry."

The Landlord's Son, who had volunteered to act as our chief guide, and two others from the inn, dismounted, leaving their horses in charge of Sir Jocelyn's servants; and taking with them the lantern which, however, they were careful to close, disappeared among the trees. We could hear their feet rustling among the dry leaves, a twig now and then snapping; but it was too dark to watch their prog

ress.

In a moment or two all was still save for the creaking of our saddles, with the quick breathing of our horses, which we had indeed pushed to their topmost speed, an occasional stamp of a hoof, the sough of the wind through the leafless boughs-these slight sounds intensified the stillness and seemed to quicken our almost breathless expectation. All at once we heard a shout and then another, and then the rush of feet apparently hurrying along the path by which our scouts had disappeared; and presently the light of the lantern flashed out among the trees, bobbing hither and thither amid a struggling mass of advancing figures.

"They've got one of 'em anyhow!" cried Sir Jocelyn, raising himself in his stirrups. "Run and help them, somebody! The fellow seems to be fighting hard."

I sprang from my horse, throwing the reins to the man nearest me, and rushed to meet the group. By the unsteady light I could just make out a tall, burly figure who, pinioned and half-throttled though he was, was still making a gallant fight with knees and elbows in the endeavor to release himself. One glance showed me that he was masked and that the color of his coat was gray. In an instant I had thrown myself upon him; and shouting

and huzzaing, and it must be owned swearing not a little, his captors soon reduced him to helplessness. In another moment his hands were bound tightly behind him, and two of the stoutest of his conquerors, taking each an arm, prepared to drag him towards

directed I easily found the notes, and was beginning to count them when, at a shout from the road, the men, eager to show their prisoner, took hold of him again and hauled him away before I had time to assure myself that I had indeed secured all I had lost.

"Speak with you indeed!" cried I. "Where is my money, sirrah? I doubt your comrade has carried it off far enough out of my reach. Nay, but I'll have justice done on you since I have caught you. In Exeter Gaol shall you lodge this night!"

"Aye, aye!" cried one of the inn folks. "And swing before the month is out, very like."

The wretched creature groaned, and again turned his masked face towards me, imploring me to speak with

him.

I stepped towards him and bent my head to his mouth.

"Put you hand into my breast, Master," whispered he, "and you will find the money there safe enough-all the notes-every one. I-I meant not such harm as you think. Oh, Sir, speak a word for me! Hark ye!" Throwing back his head he paused for a minute, and I could see his eyes gleam through his mask, and then advancing his lips he said very slowly: "Where have I fallen? What have I done?"

"What?" cried I, hardly able to believe my ears, for the words were those by which I myself should have tested Mrs. Dorothy's messenger.

"Listen again, Master," gasped he, and immediately gave the countersign, "What is true is safe."

Searching in his bosom as he had

but I hastened in their wake, dizzy with astonishment. How could this be? Who could have tampered with one on whose fidelity Mrs Ullathorne placed such implicit reliance? Poor wretch! Well, since he had restored my money I would willingly let him go.

But I reckoned without Sir Jocelyn, who was, as I have said, in a savage mood that night. The prisoner was searched by his orders and unmasked roughly enough; and while by the light of the lantern I counted the notes, which he had had the precaution to divest of their wrapper, the others crowded round to stare at their luckless captive.

And then-"Why, it is John Dewey!" cried one. "John Dewey, as I am a living sinner! La! John, however came 'ee to be led away like this?"

"Oh, I can't tell!" returned poor John, with a sob. ""Tis the first time I ever meddled wi' anything o' the kind. Pray, pray let me go! Young Master has got his money and nobody's the worse. Let me go, Sir, and I'll swear

"Not so fast!" cried Sir Jocelyn sternly. "How came the money in your possession when, according to this young man's account, your comrade rode away with it? We'll hold you fast, my lad, till we catch your crony. He can't be far off, I'm certain. Let us search the wood, boys, and find out if this Gentleman is not lying concealed somewhere."

Thereupon honest John Dewey-I must een call him so, for in spite of his recent doings I protest I never saw a more open countenance than that dark,

Mrs. Chillingham Bull, of "The Cheviots," Little Wickling, to Mr. Henry Ings, Butcher, of Little Wickling.

(By hand.)

Mrs. Chillingham Bull finding that her friendly verbal message by her butler to Mr. Ings concerning the nuisance caused by his persistent killing of pigs at the time when she and her household are at family prayers has had no effect, she now informs him that she intends to take measures to stop the obnoxious practice. Sept. 28.

II.

Mr. Henry Ings to Mrs. Chillingham Bull. (By hand.)

Mrs. Chillingham Bull,

Dear Madam,-It is my wish to kill pigs as quietly as possible, not only to cause as little nuisance as I can, but also out of regard to my own and Mrs. Ings's feelings, both of us being sensitive too. The pig which was killed this morning at the time you name in your favor of even date was specially ordered by Sir Cloudesley Scrubbs, and could not be kept back owing to its being market day at Boxton and my killer having to be there.

Mrs. Chillingham Bull to Sir Cloudesley

Scrubbs.

(By hand.)

Dear Sir Cloudesley,-I am sorry to trouble you, but you must put the blame upon my desire to suppress a growing nuisance in our otherwise peaceful village. Ings, the butcher, has contracted the disagreeable habit of killing his pigs between 8.30 and 9, the very time at which we have family prayers, and you cannot conceive how discordant and heart-rending are the screams that reach our ears across the lawn at that time. Perks remonstrated with him some time ago, and we thought the matter over; but this morning it broke out again with renewed violence, and on my sending a peremptory note Ings says that the pig was killed at that hour by your instructions. I shall be glad to hear from you that you repudiate the responsibility.

Yours sincerely,
Sept. 28. Adela Chillingham Bull.

IV.

Sir Cloudesley Scrubbs to Mrs. Chillingham Bull. (By hand.)

Dear Mrs. Chillingham Bull,-It is quite true that I ordered the pig, as we are expecting friends who are partial to pork. But I specified no time