he's j'ined the night riders."
"When?"
"The night they burned the Cross Roads gate."
"So he had a hand in that deviltry?"
"Yes."
"I'm glad to hear it; what else?"
"The raiders air a-goin' to make another raid."
"When?"
"Tomorrow night, I think. I'll find out for certain tomorrow, an' post you. It's court day, you know, an' the word will be passed around among the men when they come to town."
"Where shall I see you?" asked the Squire.
"We mustn't be seen talkin' together," said the visitor thoughtfully. "It might help to fasten suspicion on an innocent man, you see," he added, with a leer of cunning. "I'll tell you what would be a better plan. I'll start back home just at five, by the town clock. I've got a good ways to go, an' likely's not many will be on the road at that hour of the day. You can leave a little earlier than five, an' I'll overtake you about the top of the first hill, under the big elm."
"Very well," agreed the Squire.
"I think I've about earned one hundred of that money already, Squire," suggested the visitor, looking keenly at his companion.
"Won't tomorrow do? This may be a false alarm," objected the Squire.
"No, it isn't; an' besides, I've told you some other things you wanted to know."
"But you're in no particular hurry," the old man insisted, the ruling passion of avarice strong upon him.
"Yes, I'm a-needin' it bad. I've got to have some money early tomorrow, an' I couldn't very well be seen followin' you around on court day. You promised to pay when I brought the word."
"Here, then," said the Squire reluctantly unlocking a small drawer in the base of the tall clock and bringing forth a roll of bills wrapped in a piece of newspaper. "Here's a hundred dollars in small bills. Count them over."
"It's two hundred dollars for givin' information that will lead to the arrest of any of the raiders," said the visitor meditatively, after he had carefully counted the money. "Two hundred's the reward."
"Yes, one hundred tonight, which you have now received, and the other when the raiders have been caught. An extra hundred comes out of my own pocket, you understand, when a certain kinsman of mine is safe behind the jail bars. This is good money, easily made."
"Well, I d'no' as it's so easy when you risk your neck to git it, as I've done."
"What gate do you think they will raid next?" asked the Squire.
"I don't know yet, but I'll be posted by tomorrow evenin'. There's another thing, too, I wanted to say to you," added the visitor impressively. "It's concernin' the safety of a particular friend of mine who belongs to the raiders. I must have your promise not to trap him along with the others."
"How can that be done if he's with the band?"
"Mighty easy. I'll see that he's sent on a little ahead of the others to guard the road in front, and you must give strict orders that no firing is to be done until this one is safely through the gate. When he hears the first shot he can then look out for hisself, an' let the ones behind do the best they can."
"So you want to come out with a whole skin?" said the Squire, with a keen glance at his visitor.
"I didn't say anything about myself; I said a friend."
"All right! I understand. The man in front is to get away, but the rest are to be bagged. You'll give me the full particulars of the proposed raid tomorrow evening, then?" said the Squire, rising from his chair, to signify that the interview was at an end.
"Yes; an' when I come again, you'll have the rest of the money ready for me?"
The Squire nodded.
"Have it in small bills," the visitor suggested. "I can pass 'em easier."
A few minutes later the front door was closed upon the mysterious visitor, and the Squire came back into the room softly rubbing his hands with apparent satisfaction. Indeed, his next words signified as much.
"Ah! my dear nephew!" he cried, gleefully; "before many more nights have passed I think I will have you in a ticklish position where your love affairs will not run as smoothly as you might wish. Then comes my opportunity."
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