you to aid in breaking houses, and gagging noisy fools. Sometimes I
will require you to crack a skull, if easier methods fail in the
prosecution of our enterprises. I take a fancy sometime for carrying
folks away to our curious quarters; some of whom it suits my humour
to retain for a time, others of whom I allow to sink into the
mysterious hollow swamp. We have not carried away a pretty lass for
many months now; and it is quite desolate here sometimes when one has
not handsome female eyes to look into his and give him cheer.

'But I have had my eye upon a girl distant far from here. Over a year
ago I saw her in her father's orchard gathering peaches. Looking up
her eyes met mine, which were burning upon her through the hedge. She
gave a shriek of horror and ran away. Never, young man, had my eyes
before rested upon a being so fair as this. I might have gone away and
strove to think no more about her, but the look of loathing as well as
terror with which my face filled her, decided my course. _I resolved
to have her._ Before the spring buds are on the trees she shall be
here; and one of the offices I shall reserve for you is to assist me
in bringing her hither. I may be able to use you as a decoy; for your
face, curse it, seems to find more favour with women than mine.'

'And you brought me here, then, that I might aid you in such works
of infamy?'

'Precisely.'

'Then hear my answer once for all. Death shall be mine before
dishonour. Rather than assist you in carrying out the least of your
evil deeds _I will give myself up to justice_.' The robber's
face grew as dark as a thundercloud, and a devilish light flashed in