y up, he saw a
pleasant smile on his questioner's face. He was still writing rapidly,
but was apparently enjoying at the same time some pleasant recollection.

"Your father and I lost nearly sixty thousand dollars together one
night, ten years ago, when we were both younger."

"Yes, sir," said Jeff dubiously.

"But it was OUR OWN MONEY, Jeff."

"Yes, sir."

"Here's your appointment," he said briefly, throwing away his pen,
folding what he had written, and handing it to Jeff. It was the first
time that he had looked at him since he entered. He now held out his
hand, grasped Jeff's, and said, "Good-night!"

VI.

It was late the next evening when Jeff drew up at the coach office at
Robinson's Ferry, where he was to await the coming of the Summit coach.
His mind, lifted only temporarily out of its denumbed condition
during his interview with the manager, again fell back into its dull
abstraction. Fully embarked upon his dangerous journey, accepting all
the meaning of the trust imposed upon him, he was yet vaguely conscious
that he did not realize its full importance. He had neither the dread
nor the stimulation of coming danger. He had faced death before in the
boyish confidence of animal spirits; his pulse now was scarcely stirred
with anticipation. Once or twice before, in the extravagance of his
passion, he had imagined himself rescuing Miss Mayfield from danger,
or even dying for her. During his journey his mind had dwelt fully
and minutely on every detail of their brief acquaintance; she was
continually before him, the tones of her voice were in his ears, the
suggestive touch of her fingers, the thrill that his lips had felt when
he kissed them--all were with him now, but only as a memory. In his
coming fate, in his future life, he saw her not. He believed it was a
premonition of coming death.

He made a few preparations. The company's agent had told him that
the treasure, letters, and dispatches, which had accumulated to a
considerable amount, would be handed to him on the box; and that the
arms and ammunition were in the boot. A less courageous and determined
man might have been affected by the cold, practical brutality of certain
advice and instructions offered him by the agent, but Jeff recognized
this compliment to his determination, even before the agent concluded
his speech by saying, "But I reckon they knew what they were about
in the lower office when they sent YOU up. I dare say you kin give me