[Illustration: The Robbery of the Geneva Bank.]

Driving up to the gate, the constable alighted and approached the house,
while Robert remained seated in the buggy. In a few moments he returned,
and stated that Mrs. Ratcliffe, the good farmer's wife, had informed him
that her husband and nephew had gone off before daylight to a lake about
five miles distant, and they would not return until late in the evening.

It was deemed advisable not to attempt to follow them, as their
appearance at the lake might give the young man alarm, and as they were
not sure of any particular place to find them, they concluded to quietly
await their return. They accordingly drove back to the village, and
Robert returned to the constable's house to dinner. In the afternoon the
two operatives whom I had sent from Chicago arrived, having been driven
over by private conveyance. Without publicly acknowledging them, Robert
gave them to understand that he would meet them at the house of the
constable, and upon repairing thither they were duly informed of what
had taken place, and instructed as to the plans proposed for that
evening.

Nothing of any note transpired during the afternoon, and after sundown
the party started out upon their errand. Night soon came on, throwing
its sable mantle over the earth, the sounds of the busy day were hushed,
and all the world seemed wrapped in the tranquil stillness of a summer
night. The stars, in countless numbers, were twinkling and sparkling in
the blue heavens above, while the new moon, like a silver crescent, shed
its soft light upon a scene of rare beauty and quiet loveliness.

Arriving within a short distance of the old farmer's house, the horses