“Well, Herbert, what is it?”
“I have discovered, Mr. Melville, that our stage is to be stopped to-day and the passengers plundered.”
“How did you discover this?” asked Melville, startled.
“By a conversation which I overheard in the next chamber to us.”
“But that chamber is occupied by Col. Warner.”
“And he is one of the conspirators,” said Herbert, quietly.
“Is it possible?” ejaculated Melville. “Can we have been so deceived in him? Does he propose to waylay the stage?”
“No, I presume he will be one of the passengers.”
“Tell me all you know about this matter, Herbert. Who is engaged with him in this plot?”
“The landlord.”