intention to use this means of communication with the marshal. That
the danger of detection was great, she was unhappily aware, but, she
could devise no plan that seemed less perilous. So, early in the
morning of the day following her discovery, she made her way along the
North Wilkesboro' road, carrying twenty pounds of the sour-wood honey.
At the store, she did her trading, and afterward remained loitering,
as is the custom of shoppers in the region. The interval of waiting
seemed to her interminable, for trade was brisk. There was always
someone near enough the telephone to overhear, for it was unprotected
by a booth. But, finally, the customers lessened. The few remaining
were in the front of the store, at a safe distance from the instrument
which was on a shelf at the back. Plutina believed that her
opportunity was come. She knew the amount of the toll, and had the
necessary silver in her hand to slip into the box. Then, just as she
was about to take down the receiver, her apprehensive glance, roving
the room, fell on Ben York, who entered briskly, notwithstanding his
seventy years, and came straight toward her. Plutina's lifted hand
fell to her side, and dread was heavy on her. For Ben York was the
distiller in Hodges' gang.

The old man had a reputation almost as notorious as that of Hodges
himself. The girl felt a wave of disgust, mingled with alarm, as she
caught sight of the face, almost hidden behind a hoary thicket of
whiskers. The fellow was dirty, as always, and his ragged clothes only
emphasized the emaciation of his dwarfed form. But the rheumy eyes had
a searching quality that disturbed the girl greatly. She knew that the
man was distinguished for his intelligence as well as for his general
worthlessness. In the experience of years, he had always escaped the
raiders, nor had they been able ever to secure any evidence against
him. He was, in fact, as adroit of mind as he was tough of body. He
had lived hard all his days, either in drunken carouse or lying out in
the laurel to escape the summons of the courts. Where, alas! a holier
man might have been broken long ago, the aged reprobate thrived, and
threatened to infest the land for years to come. Now, he greeted the
girl casually enough, made a purchase, and took his departure. He
seemed quite unsuspicious, but Plutina felt that his coming on her
thus was an evil omen, and, for a moment, she faltered in her
purpose.

A hand went to her bosom, and tou