e an unexpected visitor, General Sir Robert
Barrington. This officer was going out to America to fill an important
office. He had something in view for young Cowen, and came to judge
quietly of his capacity. But he did not say anything at that time, for
fear of exciting hopes he might possibly disappoint.

However, he was much taken with the young man. Oxford had polished
him. His modest reticence, until invited to speak, recommended him to
older men, especially as his answers were judicious, when invited to
give his opinion. The tutors also spoke very highly of him.

"You may well love that boy," said Central Barrington to the father.

"God bless you for praising him," said the other. "Ay, I love him too
well."

Soon after the General left, Cowen changed some gold for notes, and
took his departure for London, having first sent word of his return.
He meant to start after breakfast and make one day of it, but he
lingered with his son, and did not cross Magdalen Bridge till one
o'clock.

This time he rode through Dorchester, Benson, and Henley, and, as it
grew dark, resolved to sleep at Maidenhead.

Just after Hurley Bottom, at four cross-roads, three highwaymen spurred
on him from right and left. "Your money or your life!"

He whipped a pistol out of his holster, and pulled at the nearest head
in a moment.

The pistol missed fire. The next moment a blow from the butt end of a
horse-pistol dazed him, and he was dragged off his horse, and his
valise emptied in a minute.

Before they had done with him, however, there was a clatter of hoofs,
and the robbers sprang to their nags, and galloped away for the bare
life as a troop of yeomanry rode up. The thing was so common, the
newcomers read the situation at a glance, and some of the best mounted
gave chase. The others attended to Captain Cowen, caught his horse,
strapped on his valise, and took him with them into Maidenhead, his
head aching, his heart sickening and raging by turns. All his gold
gone, nothing left but a few one-pound notes that he had sewed into the
lining of his coat.

He reached the "Swan" next day in a state of sullen despair. "A curse
is on me," he said. "My pistol miss fire: my gold gone."

He was welcomed warmly. He stared with surprise. Barbara led the way
to his old room, and opened it. He started back. "Not there," he
said, with a shudder.

"Alack! Captain, we have kept it for you. Sure you are not afear'd."

"No,"