“I don’t know what has got into me to-day,” said Melville to himself.  “It’s only three o’clock, yet the day seems very long.  I wish Herbert would return.  I feel uneasy.  I don’t know why.  I hope it is not a presage of misfortune.  I shall not be sure that something has not happened to Herbert till I see him again.”

As he spoke George Melville rose from his chair, and was about to put on his hat and take a short walk in the neighboring woods, when he heard the tramp of approaching horses.  Looking out from the window, he saw two horsemen close at hand.

He started in dismay, for in the two men he was at no loss in recognizing his stagecoach companion, Col.  Warner, and the landlord who had essayed the part of a road agent,

CHAPTER XXXV.

Melville in peril.

Col.  Warner and his companion enjoyed the effect of their presence upon their intended victim, and smiled in a manner that boded little good to Melville, as they dismounted from their steeds and advanced to the door of the cabin.

“How are you, Melville?” said Warner, ironically.  “I see you have not forgotten me.”

“No, I have not forgotten you,” answered Melville, regarding his visitor uneasily.

“This is my friend, Mr. Brown.  Perhaps you remember him?”

“I do remember him, and the circumstances under which I last saw him,” replied Melville, rather imprudently.

Brown frowned, but he did not speak.  He generally left his companion to do the talking.

“Being in the neighborhood, we thought we’d call upon you,” continued Col.  Warner.

“Walk in, gentlemen, if you see fit,” said Melville.  “I suppose it would be only polite to say that I am glad to see you, but I have some regard for truth, and cannot say it.”

“I admire your candor, Mr. Melville.  Walk in, Brown.  Ha! upon my word, you have a nice home here.  Didn’t expect to see anything of the kind in this wilderness.  Books and pictures!  Really, now, Brown, I am quite tempted to ask our friend, Melville, to entertain us for a few days.”

“I don’t think it would suit you,” said Melville, dryly.  “You are probably more fond of exciting adventure than of books.”

“Does the boy live with you?” asked Warner, dropping his bantering tone, and looking about his searchingly.

“Yes, he is still with me.”

“I don’t see him.”

“Because he has gone to Deer Creek on business.”

When Melville saw the rapid glance of satisfaction interchanged by the two visitors he realized that he had made an imprudent admission.  He suspected that their design was to rob him, and he had voluntarily assured them that he was alone, and that they could proceed without interruption.

“Sorry not to see him,” said Warner.  “I’d like to renew our pleasant acquaintance.”

Melville was about to reply that Herbert would be back directly, when it occurred to him that this would be a fresh piece of imprudence.  It would doubtless lead them to proceed at once to the object of their visit, while if he could only keep them till his boy companion did actually return, they would at least be two to two.  Even then they would be by no means equally matched, but something might occur to help them.