s head several times as he named
the railroad stations nearest the point indicated by Armitage. The place
was in one of the mountainous counties of Virginia, fifteen miles from an
east and west railway line. Armitage opened a duly recorded deed which
conveyed to himself the title to two thousand acres of land; also a
curiously complicated abstract of title showing the successive transfers
of ownership from colonial days down through the years of Virginia's
splendor to the dread time when battle shook the world. The title had
passed from the receiver of a defunct shooting-club to Armitage, who had
been charmed by the description of the property as set forth in an
advertisement, and lured, moreover, by the amazingly small price at which
the preserve was offered.

"It is a farm--yes?"

"It is a wilderness, I fancy," said Armitage. "I have never seen it;
I may never see it, for that matter; but you will find your way
there--going first to this town, Lamar, studying the country, keeping
your mouth shut, and seeing what the improvements on the ground amount
to. There's some sort of a bungalow there, built by the shooting-club.
Here's a description of the place, on the strength of which I bought it.
You may take these papers along to judge the size of the swindle."

"Yes, sir."

"And a couple of good horses; plenty of commissary stores--plain military
necessities, you understand--and some bedding should be provided. I want
you to take full charge of this matter and get to work as quickly as
possible. It may be a trifle lonesome down there among the hills, but if
you serve me well you shall not regret it."

"Yes, I am quite satisfied with the job," said Oscar.

"And after you have reached the place and settled yourself you will tell
the postmaster and telegraph operator who you are and where you may be
found, so that messages may reach you promptly. If you get an unsigned
message advising you of--let me consider--a shipment of steers, you may
expect me any hour. On the other hand, you may not see me at all. We'll
consider that our agreement lasts until the first snow flies next winter.
You are a soldier. There need be no further discussion of this matter,
Oscar."

The man nodded gravely.

"And it is well for you not to reappear in this hotel. If you should be
questioned on leaving here--"

"I have not been, here--is it not?"

"It is," replied Armitage, smiling. "You read and write English?"

"Yes; one must, to ser