ng intense fear.

"Almost," returned Halloran, briefly, jumping in and closing the door
after him.

For some moments they rode along in utter silence. Then, as Halloran
made no attempt to break it, his companion leaned over, asking
breathlessly: "Where are we going--and--and--what do you propose to do
with her?"

"I am just trying to solve that problem in my mind, and it is a knotty
one. I must have more time to think it over," replied Halloran, tersely.

Before his companion could reply, the coach came to a sudden
standstill, and both of the men within heard their driver's voice in
earnest colloquy with some one standing by the roadside.

"It is the girl's father, or friends, who have just discovered her
absence and have been scouring the country about to find her," gasped
the fraudulent Lester Armstrong, and the hand that grasped his
companion's arm shook like an aspen leaf.

"Don't be a coward!" hissed Halloran. "If worst comes to worst, whoever
it is can share the girl's fate," and with these words he opened the
door of the coach, asking sharply, angrily:

"What is the matter, driver?"

"Nothing, save a poor old fellow who wants me to give him a lift on the
box beside me. He has lost his way. He's an old grave digger, who says
he lives hereabouts, somewhere. He's half frozen with the cold tramping
about. I told him 'Yes, climb up;' it's a little extra work for the
horses, but I suppose as long as I don't mind it you'll not object."

"Ha! Satan always helps his own out of difficulties," whispered Halloran
to his companion; and, without waiting for a reply, he was out of the
coach like a flash, and his hand was on the old grave digger's arm ere
he could make the ascent to the box beside the driver.

"Wait a moment, my good friend," said Halloran, "we have a little work
which you of all persons are best fitted to perform for us ere we
proceed."

Old Adam, the grave digger, looked at the tall gentleman before him in
some little perplexity, answering, slowly:

"I hope you will not take it amiss, sir, if I answer that I do not fully
comprehend your words."

"Perhaps not; but permit me to make them clear to you, in as plain
English as I can command. I want you to dig a grave here and now."

"A grave--here!" echoed Adam, quite believing his old ears were not
serving him truly--that he had certainly not heard aright.

"That is what I said," returned Halloran, grimly.

"But, sir!" began old Adam, "this is