ing here?"

Oswald explained that he was a stranger there, and had slept on the bank
of the river. His hat was lost. He hoped that no harm had been done. He
had money, and would pay for all damages.

The refined manner of speech and good looks made a favorable impression
upon the staring proprietor.

Oswald saw his advantage, and appealed to this red-faced inquisitor for
breakfast, adding that he would pay well.

Greatly mollified, the other invited him into the house, and set before
his guest a substantial meal.

It occurred to Oswald that by show of liberality he might gain very
valuable assistance in extricating himself from his terrible fix. He
tossed a half-crown toward his host, who stared in blank amazement.

"That is right; keep it all, my kind friend."

With much show of appreciation the coin was pocketed.

"By the way, have you a good horse and cart?"

"You bet I has!"

"Say, friend, don't you wish to make some money?"

"That's what I does!"

"Well, I must be forty miles away to-night sometime, and here are three
half-crowns for the drive. How soon can you start?"

"Inside of an hour."

Tossing the coins to his excited host, Oswald said: "Get ready right
off! Tell no one, and there is a sovereign at the end of our ride! Have
you an old duster and hat?"

Rushing to a closet, Dick Bray produced the desired outfit, which had a
most superannuated look.

"Keep the stuff, and welcome!" said Dick, with an air of much conscious
generosity.

With closed lips, Dick set about preparations for the eventful journey.

In less than an hour they were jogging along the road at pretty lively
gait for their slow-geared outfit.

Oswald assumed a most taciturn manner, which convinced Dick that he was
some high-born chap who had been on a "lark" and wished to keep "shady."
The thought of that sovereign restrained Dick's curiosity so thoroughly
that but little was said by either.

Unused to such long, vigorous journeys, the horse required much urging,
and then made distance slowly. At four o'clock the next morning they
came within two miles of Oswald's home. Dick received the promised coin,
and was advised to go back a few miles and rest up. Oswald lived near,
and would walk the rest of the way.

"Say nothing, and perhaps I can do more some time!"

Thus adjured, Dick Bray parted with Oswald Langdon, fully determined to
be very secretive about that mysterious drive.

CHAPTER V

OSWALD'S FLIGHT