re 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?"

"I have not."

"Can he be found this morning?"

"Ah, I perceive your thoughts are running in the same direction as my own.
We will inquire after him."

The inquiries were instituted, but no Hadley was to be found; he had left
the day previous, but no one could tell whither he had gone, or what had
called him away. When these facts were ascertained, Mandeville and Duffel
exchanged a significant glance, as much as to say: "Just as we expected!"

The horse stolen was one of great value, and Mr. Mandeville was resolved to
make a desperate effort to recover him; and he was the more fixed in this
determination, because the horse was intended as a gift to Eveline on her
recovery, in case she _did_ recover, and, also, because, as he believed,
the detection of the culprit would expose the baseness of her lover to his
daughter, and cause her to discard him at once from her thoughts.--Full of
these thoughts, he offered a handsome reward for the horse, and a very
large one for the apprehension of the thief. In prospect of obtaining these
rewards, as well as to render a service to community, some six individuals
banded themselves together with the avowed intention of ferreting out the
matter, and immediately set out for that purpose.

CHAPTER VII.

FATHER AND DAUGHTER--DUFFEL.

A few days after the transactions recorded in the preceding chapter, the
fever left Eveline, and consciousness was restored to its empire and reason
to its throne. But alas! what a wreck of her former self she was! Mr.
Mandeville could scarcely restrain his tears while gazing upon her pallid
countenance and wasted form. She was helpless as a child, and so weak it
was feared the recuperative powers were exhausted, and she must die from
prostration; but a day or two of careful nursing, aided by cordials and
tonics, produced a change for the better, and in the course of ten days,
she was able to walk in the open air and happy sunshine, supported by her
father. How lightly his heart beat in his bosom, as the child of his pride
and affection leaned upon his arm, as he gently led her whither she desire