"That accounts for it, then," said the constable; "I don't think he has
ever missed a day for ten years before."

"No, I don't think he has; but that young Mr. Amos, who is stopping here
with him, is very fond of fishing, and the old man promised to take him
over to Pine Lake this morning, so 'Uncle Ben' missed the mail for
once."

After a short conversation with the store-keeper upon general matters,
the two men took their leave. It seemed very evident that as yet there
was no suspicion on the part of Edwards, as to the discovery of his
hiding-place, and here in fancied safety, surrounded by nature in all
its beauty, with affectionate relatives, the young burglar was enjoying
himself as heartily as though no cares were oppressing him, and no
thought of detection ever troubled his mind.

The uncle of young Edwards, it was learned, was a general favorite about
the country. A good-natured, honest old farmer, who had lived there from
boyhood, and was known to all the farmers and their families for miles
around. Even in his old age, for he was long past sixty now, he
cherished his old love for gunning and fishing, and held his own right
manfully among those who were many years his junior.

It was decided, as a matter of precaution, that they should call at the
house of Uncle Ben, in order to ascertain whether he and his nephew had
really gone fishing, and to that end the constable harnessed up his
horses, and in a few minutes they were on their way to the old
farm-house, which stood at the end of a long shady lane leading off from
the main road.