myself so aloof from Mr. Blake, even while keeping him under my eye,
that no suspicion of my interest in his movements had as yet been
awakened, how could I thus for the third time follow his order with
one precisely similar, without attracting an attention that would be
fatal to my plans. Yet to let him ride off alone now, would be to
drop the trail at the very moment the scent became of importance.

The landlord, a bustling, wiry little man all nervousness and
questions, unwittingly helped me at this crisis.

"Are you going on to Perry, sir?" inquired he of that gentleman, "I
have been expecting a man along these three days bound for Perry."

"I am that man," I broke in, stepping forward with some appearance of
asperity, "and I hope you won't keep me waiting. A horse as soon as
dinner is over, do you hear? I am two days late now, and won't stand
any nonsense."

And to escape the questions sure to follow, I strode into the
dining-room with a half-fierce, half- sullen countenance, that
effectually precluded all advances. During the meal I saw Mr. Blake's
eye roam more than once towards my face; but I did not return his
gaze, or notice him in any way; hurrying through my dinner, and
mounting the first horse brought around, as if time were my only
consideration. But once on the road I took the first opportunity to
draw rein and wait, suddenly remembering that I had not heard Mr.
Blake give any intimation of the direction he intended taking. A few
minutes revealed to me his elegant form well mounted and showing to
perfection in his closely buttoned coat, slowly approaching up the
road. Taking advantage of a rise in the ground, I lingered till he was