week. You see," added
the outlaw dryly, "I have been prosperous in my business and can spare
that sum in return for giving me my liberty."

"I am afraid, friend Fox, that my chance of securing the money in that way
would be slender."

"I am a man of my word. What I promise, I will do."

"If you have so much money, why did you want to take the five hundred
dollars of my friend here?"

"It was all in the way of business. Well, what do you say?"

"That I won't trust you. If I should take your thousand dollars for
releasing you I should be as bad as you are."

"Very well; drive on then," said the outlaw sullenly.

In less than an hour Ezekiel Mason's home was reached. When they drove
into the yard it made quite a sensation. Mrs. Mason and the hired man
stood with mouths agape.

"Who have you got there, Ezekiel?" asked his wife.

"One of the Fox brothers!" answered the farmer in an important tone. "Me
and my friend here took him."

Luke smiled and so did the prisoner, uncomfortable though he was.

"It would have taken a dozen like that fool to have captured me," he said
in a low voice, but only Luke heard him.

CHAPTER XI

UNDER WATCH AND WARD

THE farmhouse was built after the model of many similar houses in New
England. It was of two stories, with the front door in the center and a
room on each side. Over the two stories was an unfurnished attic.

"Have you a secure place to keep our friend here?" asked Luke.

The farmer paused before he answered.

"I might put him in the attic," he said.

But here his wife interfered.

"I couldn't sleep if he were in the house," she said.

"Why not?" asked Luke. "You see he is securely bound and will be as
helpless as a child. Will you show me the attic?"

"Follow me," said the farmer.

They went up two flights of stairs and found themselves in a long room,
the whole width of the house. Through the center rose the chimney. The
sloping roof was not plastered. The only furniture consisted of a cot
bedstead and a chair.

"Is the attic occupied by any of the family?" asked Luke.

"Not generally. When I hire an extra hand at harvest time he sleeps
there."

"But at present there is no one occupying it?"

"No."

"Then I suggest that the bed will prove a good resting place for our
friend below. I have no doubt he has often found himself in lodgings less
comfortable."

"But," said Mrs. Mason nervously, "if he should get free during the night
he might m