e to suspect anything is wrong, or that we have any
idea of his intentions toward us."

"Then we must go after them horses to-night?"

"Certainly; I would not miss the opportunity, because, if we succeed in
taking the horses, they will be under our care, and we can use them for our
own purpose."

"Sure enough. But if we don't get them, what then are we to do?"

"Why, we will take some from the stable."

"I don't like that much. Ef it is found out, as it will be when we are
missed, we shall have the enmity of the Order."

"I know, and have prepared for such an emergency."

"How?"

"I will let you know in good time. We must away, now, to meet Duffel in the
'swamp.'"

Thus terminated the interview between these bad men. Had Eveline dreamed
that such would have been the effect of her revelation to them of Duffel's
purpose, she would have burned the paper sooner than have placed it in
their hands. From one snare she falls into another, and there appears to be
no end to her misfortunes.

* * * * *

Night was upon the world. In peaceful slumbers the innocent reposed, while
the wicked, the thief and robber, stole out upon errands of vice and crime.

'Squire Williams, though in common a follower of that old proverb:

"Early to bed and early to rise,
Make a man healthy, wealthy and wise;"

was, on this evening, up until past eleven o'clock, in social chat with a
neighbor, who had "dropped in to spend the evening" with him. During the
conversation between them, the subject of most engrossing and universal
interest in that community, that of horse-stealing, was amply discussed.

"What do you think is best to be done?" inquired the neighbor.

"Well, others may do as they please; but I intend to _defend_ my property,"
was the 'Squire's reply.

"Just the conclusion I have arrived at; and I shall not be surprised if we
are called upon very soon to put our resolves into practice."

"Have you heard anything new?"

"Well, no, I haven't heard anything, but I've seen a little, and that, I
take it, is about as good."

"Why, yes, it might be better, if it was good for anything at all."

"I do not know how good it is, but my suspicions were excited."

"It is quite an easy matter to have our suspicions excited these exciting
times, and on this very exciting subject. There is Mr. Mandeville, has been
made to believe that one of the best young men who ever lived, is guilty of
stealing