mph!" said the woman; "that's curious. I wouldn't get up so early if
I wasn't obliged. There ain't much to see outdoors."

"It is a new part of the country to us," said Melville, "and we may not
have another chance to see it."

"When will breakfast be ready?" asked Herbert.

"Half an hour, more or less," answered the woman, shortly.

"We will be back in time," he said.

The landlady evidently thought their early-rising a singular proceeding,
but her suspicions were not aroused. She resumed her work, and Herbert
and his friend walked out through the open door.

When they had reached a spot a dozen rods or more distant, Melville
turned to his young clerk and asked:

"Well, Herbert, what is it?"

"I have discovered, Mr. Melville, that our stage is to be stopped to-day
and the passengers plundered."

"How did you discover this?" asked Melville, startled.

"By a conversation which I overheard in the next chamber to us."

"But that chamber is occupied by Col. Warner."

"And he is one of the conspirators," said Herbert, quietly.

"Is it possible?" ejaculated Melville. "Can we have been so deceived in
him? Does he propose to waylay the stage?"

"No, I presume he will be one of the passengers."

"Tell me all you know about this matter, Herbert. Who is engaged with
him in this plot?"

"The landlord."

"I am not much surprised at this," said Melville, thoughtfully. "He is
an ill-looking man, whose appearance fits the part of highwayman very
well. Then you think the colonel is in league with him?"

"I am sure of that. Don't you remember how skillfully Col. Warner drew
out of the passengers the hiding places of their money yesterday?"

"Yes."

"He has told all to the landlord, and he will no doubt make use of the
knowledge. That is all, Mr. Melville. I could not rest till I had told
you, so that you might decide what to do."

"It seems quite providential that you were kept awake last night,
Herbert, otherwise this blow would have come upon us unprepared. Even
with the knowledge that it impends, I hardly know what it is best for us
to do."

"We might decide not to go in the stage," suggested Hebert.

"But we should have to go to-morrow. We cannot stay here, and there is
no other way of traveling. As the colonel seems to think I have money,
there would be another attack to-morrow. Besides, where could we stay
except at this hotel, which is kept, as it appears, by the principal
robber."

"That is true," s