the issue?"

"Quite impossible. Will you now excuse me for a short time? I have not
looked after my stock this morning."

"With pleasure."

Mr. Mandeville left his guest around whose mouth a peculiar smile was
playing as he passed out at the door. That smile had a meaning.

After a brief absence the host returned, and in some consternation
announced that his best horse had been stolen during the night.

"Is it possible!" said Duffel, feigning the utmost surprise. "What villain
could take advantage of the sickness of your daughter, to plan and execute
such a cowardly act?"

"I am persuaded there are more than one connected with these thefts;
indeed, I may say, I know there are numbers of thieves infesting the
country. They are regularly banded together; and, would you believe it,
that Hadley, of whom we were once speaking, is an officer in the band, as I
have every reason to believe."

"That will exactly correspond with what I told you in the interview to
which you allude."

"True."

"Have you seen him lately?"