assure you; and as you say, my standing here will
not help you. I can watch from the carriage window, and when the work is
done step out and look at it."

With that he hurried quickly to the vehicle, and with a thankfulness in
his heart that words are weak to describe, and with a mental "God be
praised," the old grave digger bent to his task with renewed energy.

Both men watched narrowly and anxiously, as spadeful after spadeful of
dirt quickly disappeared from the white ground. Then the white heaping
snow was leveled over the dark narrow space, and the grave digger
announced that his work was completed.

"I do not know as it is worth while to examine it; the old fellow knows
his business," remarked Halloran to his companion, who was by this time
fairly well under the weather from large draughts of brandy he had drunk
from a bottle he had seized from the bar. "Step up on the box beside the
driver"--thrusting a bank note into the old grave digger's nervous,
trembling hand--"we will take you along the road as far as we go."

For an instant old Adam hesitated, but it was only for an instant, for
he said to himself he must not arouse the suspicion of this stranger by
refusing to ride, especially as he had begged for that permission so
short a time before. He could frame no reasonable excuse for asking to
remain behind.

Marking the spot as best he could in the intense darkness, he climbed up
to the driver's box as he had been bidden, and took his seat.

With a sharp cut of the whip upon their flanks, the horses were started,
and swaying to and fro with their every motion as they dashed along over
the uneven road, the coach sped onward.

No word fell from the driver's lips, and old Adam was too much excited
to vouchsafe a remark.

He knew that the men, as well as the rig, did not belong thereabouts,
for he well knew every team in the village, and those of the adjoining
farmers.

How far they traversed thus he could not judge, but to his intense
relief he saw at last that they were passing a familiar landmark, an old
bridge that spanned a dry creek which was scarcely a dozen rods from his
own door.

"I will leave you here," said Adam. "I thank you for giving me a lift."

Again the coach came to a halt, and the man within put out his head,
inquiring sharply:

"What is the matter now?"

"This man wants to get off here."

"Very well," replied Halloran, drawing back into the warmth of the coach
and giving the