distrust him; and it is at least safest to keep our affairs private."

"If I thought he was prying," continued Galbraith, "which I do
measurably insinuate and believe, I would take the freedom to give him
the benefit of a drilling on good manners. Ha, major! as I have a hand,
he is reconnoitring us now at this identical time! Didn't you see him
pass up and down before the door, and look in as greedily as if our
faces were picture-books for him to read? I will have a word with him,
and, wise or simple, I will get his calibre before I am done with him.
Never let on, major; stay where you are. I promised to look after our
horses."

The hostess and her guest now continued their communion; in which we
leave them, whilst we follow Horse Shoe towards the stable.

CHAPTER VI.

There're two at fisty-cuffs about it;
Sir, I may say at dagger's drawing,
But that I cannot say, because they have none.

_Mayor of Quinborough._

When Horse Shoe left the apartment, he discovered the person, whose
demeanor had excited his suspicion, leaning against a post of the porch,
in front of the house. The moonlight, as it partially fell upon this
man's figure, disclosed a frame of sufficient mould to raise a surmise,
that, in whatever form of communication the sergeant might accost him,
he was not likely to find a very tractable subject to his hand.
Robinson, however, without troubling himself with the contemplation of
such a contingency, determined to delay his visit to the stable long
enough to allow himself the expression of a word of warning or rebuke,
to indicate to the stranger the necessity for restraining his curiosity
in regard to the guests of the inn. With this view he halted upon the
porch, while he scanned the person before him, and directed an earnest
gaze into his face. The stranger, slightly discomfited by this eager
scrutiny, turned his back upon his visitor, and, with an air of idle
musing, threw his eyes towards the heavens, in which position he
remained until summoned by the familiar accost of Horse Shoe.

"Well! and what do you make of the moon? As sharp an eye as you have in
your head, neighbor, I'm thinking it will do you no great sarvice there.
You're good at your spying trade; but you will get nothing out of her;
she keeps her secrets."

Startled by this abrupt greeting, which was made in a tone half-way
between jest and earnest, the stranger quickly confronted his
challenger, and best