the Continental Company, and he recognized James Balfour as
an enemy. He had a premonition that the man was destined to stand in his
way, and that he was located just where he could overlook his operations
and his life. He would not have murdered him, but he would have been
glad to hear that he was dead. He wondered whether he was
incorruptible, and whether he, Robert Belcher, could afford to buy
him--whether it would not pay to make his acquaintance--whether, indeed,
the man were not endeavoring to force him to do so. Every bad motive
which could exercise a man, he understood; but he was puzzled in
endeavoring to make out what form of selfishness had moved Mr. Balfour
to take such an interest in the people of Sevenoaks.

At last he sat down at his table and wrote a letter to his agent, simply
ordering him to establish a more thorough watch over his property, and
directing him to visit all the newspaper offices of the region, and keep
the reports of the meeting and its attendant personal indignities from
publication.

Then, with an amused smile upon his broad face, he wrote the following
letter:

"TO THE REVEREND SOLOMON SNOW,

"_Dear Sir_: I owe an apology to the people of Sevenoaks for never
adequately acknowledging the handsome manner in which they endeavored to
assuage the pangs of parting on the occasion of my removal. The
resolutions passed at their public meeting are cherished among my
choicest treasures, and the cheers of the people as I rode through their
ranks on the morning of my departure, still ring in my ears more
delightfully than any music I ever heard. Thank them, I pray you, for
me, for their overwhelming friendliness. I now have a request to make of
them, and I make it the more boldly because, during the past ten years,
I have never been approached by any of them in vain when they have
sought my benefactions. The Continental Petroleum Company is a failure,
and all the stock I hold in it is valueless. Finding that my expenses in
the city are very much greater than in the country, it has occurred to
me that perhaps my friends there would be willing to make up a purse for
my benefit. I assure you that it would be gratefully received; and I
apply to you because, from long experience, I know that you are
accomplished in the art of begging. Your graceful manner in accepting
gifts from me has given me all the hints I shall need in that respect,
so that the transaction will not be accompanied by any clum