lot has been discovered? It
wasn't my fault. I will soon join you and explain.'"

This revelation made a sensation.

"Then he was in league with the road agent, after all?" said Parker.

"Certainly he was. Did you for a moment doubt it?" said Melville.

"I was staggered when I saw him order the rascal away."

"He is a shrewd villain!" said Benson. "I hope we shan't encounter him
again."

CHAPTER XXVIII. THE CONSPIRATORS IN COUNCIL.

It is needless to say that Col. Warner's intention in leaving the stage
was to join his fellow conspirator. There was no advantage in remaining
longer with his fellow travelers, since the opportunity of plundering
them had passed, and for the present was not likely to return. He
had been a little apprehensive that they would try to detain him on
suspicion, which would have been awkward, since they had numbers on
their side, and all were armed. But in that unsettled country he would
have been an elephant on their hands, and if the idea entered the minds
of any one of the stage passengers, it was instantly dismissed.

When the stage was fairly on the way, Col. Warner went to a house where
he was known, and asked for a horse.

"Any news, colonel?" asked the farmer, as he called himself. Really he
was in league with the band of which Warner was the chief.

"No," answered the Colonel, gloomily. "No, worse luck! There might have
been, but for an unfortunate circumstance."

"What's that?"

"There's plenty of good money in that stage coach and Brown and I meant
to have it, but some sharp-eared rascal heard us arranging the details
of the plan, and that spoiled it."

"Is it too late now?" asked the farmer, eagerly. "We can follow them,
and overtake them yet, if you say so."

"And be shot for our pains. No, thank you. They are all on the alert,
and all have their six-shooters in readiness. No, we must postpone
our plan. There's one of the fellows that I mean to be revenged upon
yet--the one that ferreted out our secret plan. I must bide my time, but
I shall keep track of him."

Soon the Colonel, well-mounted, was on his way back to the rude inn
where he had slept the night before.

Dismounting he entered without ceremony, and his eyes fell upon the
landlord's wife, engaged in some household employment.

"Where's Brown?" he asked, abruptly.

"Somewheres round," was the reply.

"How long has he been home?"

"A matter of two hours. He came home awfully riled, but he wou