nent of England.
Lately we have gained much treasure. And also I have the papers.
Paddy, do you take care of this poor horse. Then follow me into Bath.
Jem Bottles, do you mount and ride around the town, for I fear your
balladists. Meet me on the London road. Ride slowly on the highway to
London, and in due time I will overtake you. I shall pocket a few of
those guineas, but you yourself shall be the main treasury. Hold! what
of Paddy's hair? Did he rob the Earl with that great flame showing? He
dare not appear in Bath."

"'Tis small tribute to my wit, sir," answered Jem Bottles. "I would as
soon go poaching in company with a lighthouse as to call a stand on
the road with him uncovered. I tied him in cloth until he looked no
more like himself than he now does look like a parson."

"Aye," said Paddy in some bad humour, "my head was tied in a bag. My
mother would not have known me from a pig going to market. And I would
not be for liking it every day. My hair is what the blessed Saints
sent me, and I see no such fine hair around me that people are free to
throw the laugh at me."

"Peace!" said I.

Their horses were tied in an adjacent thicket. I sent Paddy off with
my lame mount, giving him full instructions as to his lies. I and Jem
Bottles took the other horses and rode toward Bath.

Where a certain lane turned off from the highway I parted with Jem
Bottles, and he rode away between the hedges. I cantered into Bath.

The best-known inn was ablaze with fleeting lights, and people were
shouting within. It was some time before I could gain a man to look
after my horse. Of him I demanded the reason of the disturbance. "The
Earl of Westport's carriage has been robbed on the Bristol road, sir,"
he cried excitedly. "There be parties starting out. I pray they catch
him."

"And who would they be catching, my lad," said I.

"Jem Bottles, damn him, sir," answered the man. "But 'tis a fierce
time they will have, for he stands no less than eight feet in his
boots, and his eyes are no human eyes, but burn blood-red always. His
hands are adrip with blood, and 'tis said that he eats human flesh,
sir. He surely is a devil, sir."

"From the description I would be willing to believe it," said I.
"However, he will be easy to mark. Such a monster can hardly be
mistaken for an honest man."

I entered the inn, while a boy staggered under my valises. I had
difficulty in finding the landlord. But in the corridor were a number
of t