“I was staggered when I saw him order the rascal away.”
“He is a shrewd villain!” said Benson. “I hope we shan't encounter him again.”
CHAPTER XXVIII. THE CONSPIRATORS IN COUNCIL.
It is needless to say that Col. Warner's intention in leaving the stage was to join his fellow conspirator. There was no advantage in remaining longer with his fellow travelers, since the opportunity of plundering them had passed, and for the present was not likely to return. He had been a little apprehensive that they would try to detain him on suspicion, which would have been awkward, since they had numbers on their side, and all were armed. But in that unsettled country he would have been an elephant on their hands, and if the idea entered the minds of any one of the stage passengers, it was instantly dismissed.
When the stage was fairly on the way, Col. Warner went to a house where he was known, and asked for a horse.
“Any news, colonel?” asked the farmer, as he called himself. Really he was in league with the band of which Warner was the chief.
“No,” answered the Colonel, gloomily. “No, worse luck! There might have been, but for an unfortunate circumstance.”
“What's that?”
“There's plenty of good money in that stage coach and Brown and I meant to have it, but some sharp-eared rascal heard us arranging the details of the plan, and that spoiled it.”