me Carnes and I worked slowly and

egin our search for the robbers, we had still failed in findi

worthy farmer on board the railway train that "the folks as prospered best were those who did the least work," that I found am

here seemed the shadow of strangeness o

. He had no intimates, and no one knew, or could learn, aught of his past history. He was a regularly authorized physician, a gra

f Tom Briggs was to be believed, he was "suspected" of m

d himself as "Hoss Fysician," and had loafed or laughed, smoked or fished, hunted, worked and played, as best ple

drive over that suspected south road. This was not an

an to complain of the monotony of our daily lives, a

having touched its mystery, when there broke upon us the first ripple that was the harbinger of a swift, onrushing tide of events, which, sweeping across the monotony of

s a gentleman of means, should honor this occasion by appearing in the latest and most stunning of Summer suits; and I, knowing the effect of fine apparel upon the ordinary society-loving village

on of one of the village clergymen, and I somet

hich had been acquired for use in my profession, the

ng Harris was not aware that my ear was drinking in his messages

cigar case and, Harris accepting a weed,

d Trafton, and Harris turned t

leans,

up the others or we ar

.

ris enclosed, sealed, and addressed th

under my eye; and I said,

e name for such a long, lean, solem

s lau

his father, and to distinguish between them, the eld

hibald Junior

cond. Fred is old

the abs

way now. Fred is in busine

rprising ric

d used to be a trifle wild. He's engaged in s

d of hurrying feet and voices

ris, the elder, put his h

tation; tell him to come home instantly; h

turned to his instrument, and his father withd

affair, sir; the worst that has happened in Trafton, to my mind. Only yesterday I officiated at the

d the perspiration

said Charlie Harris, turning to

e elder, addressing me. "He is working

discovered?"

s. Beale, and I thought it best to send for Beale first.

Traftonites entered the outer

nce that he wished to see me. I arose quietly and went out. Passing through the group of men gathered ab

Carnes at the cor

" he began; but

rave robb

e organizing a gang down at Porter's store. They are goi

unded fools!" I muttere

ps in the direction