w began
at once to search eagerly for the money.

There was a multiplicity of small drawers which he opened eagerly, but
he found no cash except four silver half-dollars and some smaller
silver.

"It isn't here!" he said in a tone of sullen disappointment, turning a
baffled look upon the farmer's wife.

"No, sir, I didn't think it was there."

"Where do you think it is? Do you think your husband has it with him?"

"No, sir."

"Where then can it be? Surely you must have some suspicion. Don't dare
to trifle with me."

"Indeed I wouldn't, sir. I think the Quaker gentleman has it."

"Curse him!" exclaimed the outlaw angrily. "He's forever standing in
my way. Have you any other money in the house?"

"No, sir."

"I have a great mind to kill you!" said Fox, with a look of ferocity.
The terrified woman uttered a scream of dismay that excited the fierce
outlaw still more. He sprang toward her and seized her by the throat.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE OUTLAW'S MISTAKE.

John Fox had been so occupied with his terrified victim that he quite
forgot the possibility of his two captors returning.

It so happened that both were approaching the house when they heard
Mrs. Mason's cry of terror.

"What's that?" exclaimed the farmer in alarm.

"I believe that scoundrel has got loose," answered Luke.

He quickened his pace and entered the house just in time to become a
witness of the outlaw's brutality.

It was no time to hesitate or parley. He sprang upon the robber,
dashed him to the ground, and put his foot upon his breast.

"What deviltry are you up to, you miserable man?" he demanded. Then
turning to Mrs. Mason, he asked, "Why did he attack you?"

"He wanted my husband's money--and a revolver," answered the trembling
woman.

"I have a great mind to give him the contents of the revolver," said
Luke, sternly.

John Fox was not a coward--on the contrary, he was a man of boldness
and courage, but as he looked up at the stern face of the Quaker
detective he quailed, almost for the first time in his life. He tried
to rise, but the heavy foot of Luke Robbins was on his breast.

"Let me up!" he growled.

"You don't deserve to get up. You should lie there forever, for your
cowardice in attacking a woman."

"I would rather it had been you!" said John Fox, bitterly.

"You are safe in attacking a woman," said the detective in scornful
sarcasm.

The outlaw was stung by his assailant's scorn.

"I have attacked many