rning at nine."

"Wait here a minute, Ernest," said Luke. "I will join you at once."

When Luke emerged from the president's room he was attired in the Quaker
costume of his predecessor. Ernest stared at him for a moment, then burst
into a loud laugh.

"Why does thee laugh?" asked Luke mildly.

This sent Ernest into a second convulsion.

"Do I look like a man of peace?" asked Luke.

"Yes; will you live up to the character?"

"Until I see the Fox brothers."

CHAPTER IX

AN ARMED ESCORT

Luke Robbins entered at once upon his duties as janitor of the Emmonsville
bank.

He was provided with a broom, and in the morning swept the bank. Sometimes
he washed the windows; at other times he sat on a bench in the rear of the
bank, ready for any call upon his services.

Several days passed, and though Luke kept a sharp lookout for the Fox
brothers he did not catch a glimpse of anyone who resembled them.

Then one morning Luke went to the bank as usual and put on his Quaker
garb.

About eleven o'clock an elderly man appeared, and presented a check for
five hundred dollars. The money was paid him, and then he lingered a
moment, ill at ease.

"I don't like to have so much money about me," he said in a tone that
betrayed anxiety.

"No doubt you will find plenty who would be willing to relieve you of it,"
rejoined the paying teller, with a smile.

"That's what I am afraid of. They do say that the Fox brothers have been
seen not far away."

"Is it absolutely necessary that you should have the money in your
possession? You could leave it in the bank, or most of it."

"I shall want to use some of it to-morrow, and I live ten miles away--in
Claremont."

"How are you going back?"

"I have a buggy outside."

"The road to Claremont is rather lonely, I believe."

"Yes."

"Why don't you get some one to go with you?"

"I don't know anyone I could get."

"I can find you a companion, but he would want to be paid."

"I'll pay him if he'll see me through all right."

"I have the very man for you. Here, Luke!"

Luke Robbins heard the call and approached.

The farmer looked at him doubtfully.

"A Quaker?" he said in a disappointed tone.

"He is no more a Quaker than you are. He is a detective, and very anxious
to meet either of the Fox brothers."

The farmer brightened up.

"He's the man I'm after, then."

A bargain was struck between Luke and Ezekiel Mason whereby the farmer
promised to pay him f