quite comfortable? Is there any particular road you would like
to drive? any part of our lovely suburbs you care to visit?"

"Surly brute!" growled a fourth, who was Cowan. "Let's make him speak,
eh? Let's twist his arm a bit."

"You sit still or I'll punch your thick head," said the first speaker
coldly. "What I dislike about you, Cowan, is that you are never able to
forget that you're a mucker. I wish you'd try," he continued wearily,
"it's so monotonous."

Cowan was silent an instant; then laughed uncertainly.

"I suppose you fancy you're a wit, Baker," he said, "but I think you're
mighty tiresome."

"Don't let it trouble you," was the calm reply. Some one laughed
drowsily. Then there was silence save for the sound of the horses' feet,
the complaining of the well-worn hack and the occasional voice of the
driver outside on the box. Neil began to feel rather drowsy himself; the
motion was lulling, and now that they had crossed the railroad-track and
reached the turnpike along the river, the carriage traveled smoothly. It
was black night outside now, and through the nearest window at which the
curtain had been lowered Neil could see nothing save an occasional
light in some house. He didn't know where he was being taken, and didn't
much care. They rolled steadily on for half an hour longer, during which
time two at least of his captors proclaimed their contentment by loud
snoring. Then the carriage slowed down, the sleeping ones were awakened,
and a moment later a flood of light entering the window told Neil that
the journey was at an end.

"Far as we go," said some one. "All out here and take the car ahead!" A
door was opened, two of his captors got out, and Neil was politely
invited to follow. He did so. Before him was the open door of a
farm-house from which the light streamed hospitably. It was still
drizzling, and Neil took shelter on the porch unchallenged; now that the
abductors had got him some five miles from Centerport, they were not so
attentive. The others came up the steps and the carriage was led away
toward the barn.

"If your Excellency will have the kindness to enter the house," said
Baker, with low obeisance, "he will find accommodations which, while far
from befitting your Excellency's dignity, are, unfortunately, the best
at our command."

Neil accepted the invitation silently, and entering the doorway, found
himself in a well-lighted room wherein a table was set for supper. The
others follo