“As well as can be, sir, marser and missus being away. Capping Pendulum, he shows his powerful ’torney, and tends to the ’state. And Missus Winterose and her darters minds the house. Only they’s in constant terrors all along o’ that band o’ bugglers.”
“Band of burglars, Joe?”
“Yes, sir, and highway robbers as well.”
“Indeed! Joe, I have twice lately heard this band spoken of. Does such a one really exist?”
“Well, sir, it do. The neighborhood never was so mislested with robbers since a neighborhood it has been. Why, sir, Mr. Morgan’s new store, at Blackville was broke open and robbed of about twelve hundred dollars’ worth of goods in one night.”
“And none of it recovered!”
“No, sir. And, sir, Capping Pendulum’s own house was entered and robbed of jewelry and plate to the tune of about two thousand dollars.”
“I am very sorry for that! And no clue to the robbers?”
“Not the leastest in the world, sir! And no later’n last night, Judge Beresford was riding home from the village, where he had been at the tavern, playing cards with a lot of gentlemen, and had won a deal of money, which he had about him, when, in the middle of the long woods below his own house, he was stopped by two men; one who seized his bridle, and one who pinted a pistol at his head, and gave him his choice of his money or his life. The Judge he choose his life, and handed over his winnins.”
“I’m not sorry for him! A man who gains money in that way deserves to lose it. But I am astounded at all that you have told me.”