m the letters B D on the quiet, he is to
consider that they are on our side, and mustn't take any money from
them, but chalk it up on my score. Now, I depend upon you, Mr. Chisholm,
to give the password to the faithful, and to pay you for your time and
trouble just take this."

And he passed a twenty-dollar bill to Sylvester. The latter drew back.

"No, Mr. Sawyer," said he, "I cannot take any money for that service.
This work is to be done, for I understand the whole business, to defeat
the man who, I think, has treated my sister in a very mean manner, and
I'm willing to work all day and all night without any pay to knock that
fellow out. Let's put it that way,--I'm working against him, and not for
you; and, looking at it that way, of course, there's no reason why you
should pay me anything."

"All right," rejoined Quincy, "I should have no feeling if you took the
money, but I can appreciate your sentiments, and will have no feeling
because you do not take it. One of these days I may be able to do as
great a service for you, as you are willing to do for me between now and
next Monday."

They shook hands and parted, and Quincy made his way to the Eagle Hotel,
of which Mr. Seth Parsons was the proprietor. Mr. Parsons greeted him
heartily and invited him into his private room. Here Quincy told the
arrangement that he had made with young Chisholm, and gave him the
password.

"Don't stint them," said Quincy, "let them have a good time; but don't
let anybody know who pays for it. I shall be down on the half-past seven
express, Monday night, and I would like to have a nice little dinner for
eight or nine people ready in your private dining-room at eight o'clock.
Mr. Tobias Smith knows who my guests are to be, and if I am delayed from
any cause, he will tell you who are entitled to go in and eat the
dinner."

The next train to Boston was due in ten minutes, and shaking hands with
the hotel proprietor, he made his way quickly to the station. As he
reached the platform he noticed that Abner Stiles was just driving away;
the thought flashed through his mind that somebody from Mason's Corner
was going to the city; but that was no uncommon event, and the thought
passed from him.

He entered the car, and, to his surprise, found that it was filled;
every seat in sight was taken. He walked forward and espied a seat near
the farther end of the car. He noticed that a lady sat near the window;
when he reached it he raised his ha