be
philosophic without my pipe."

Up to his little box of a room he climbed, found his pipe-case and
tobacco-pouch, and in five minutes was strolling out to the point once
more, when he came suddenly upon the night-watchman,--a personage of
whose functions and authority he was entirely ignorant. The man eyed
him narrowly, and essayed to speak. Not knowing him, and desiring to be
alone, Armitage pushed past, and was surprised to find that a hand was
on his shoulder and the man at his side before he had gone a rod.

"Beg pardon, sir," said the watchman, gruffly, "but I don't know you.
Are you stopping at the hotel?"

"I am," said Armitage, coolly, taking his pipe from his lips and blowing
a cloud over his other shoulder. "And who may you be?"

"I am the watchman; and I do not remember seeing you come to-day."

"Nevertheless I did."

"On what train, sir?"

"This afternoon's up-train."

"You certainly were not on the omnibus when it got here."

"Very true. I walked over from beyond the school-house."

"You must excuse me, sir. I did not think of that; and the manager
requires me to know everybody. Is this Major Armitage?"

"Armitage is my name, but I'm not a major."

"Yes, sir; I'm glad to be set right. And the other gentleman,--him as
was inquiring for Colonel Maynard to-night? He's in the army, too, but
his name don't seem to be on the book. He only came in on the late
train."

"Another man to see Colonel Maynard?" asked the captain, with sudden
interest. "Just come in, you say. I'm sure I've no idea. What was he
like?"

"I don't know, sir. At first I thought you was him. The driver told me
he brought a gentleman over who asked some questions about Colonel
Maynard, but he didn't get aboard at the depot, and he didn't come down
to the hotel,--got off somewhere up there on the bench, and Jim didn't
see him."

"Where's Jim?" said Armitage. "Come with me, watchman. I want to
interview him."

Together they walked over to the barn, which the driver was just locking
up after making everything secure for the night.

"Who was it inquiring for Colonel Maynard?" asked Armitage.

"I don't know, sir," was the slow answer. "There was a man got aboard as
I was coming across the common there in the village at the station.
There were several passengers from the train, and some baggage: so he
may have started ahead on foot but afterwards concluded to ride. As
soon as I saw him get in I reined up and asked where he