"I'm glad everything went off so well," said Mr. Wattles to Al, when the audience had dispersed. "I was a little afraid that fellow, Farley, would try to make some trouble for us. He's just about crazy enough from drink to do something desperate if the idea occurred to him. Look out for him, Allston." "I'm not afraid of him," said Al. "Nevertheless, be on your guard. Well, didn't everything go off in great shape? That presentation alone will be worth a good many dollars to the show. Accounts of it will be published all over the country." "I wish they had given me the ring in private," said Al. "You do? Well, I don't! You must get over some of that modesty of yours; you won't need it in your career as advance agent. Going now? Well, good-night. You'll be ready to start for the next town at noon to-morrow?" "Yes, sir." "Good. Look out for Farley on your way home." "I'm not worrying about him," laughed Al. "I guess you're more afraid of him than I am, sir. Good-night." Al lived a little way out of the town. To get home it was necessary for him to ride for half an hour in a horse car, and then to walk some distance along a lonely country road. Singular to say, the subject that engrossed his thoughts during the ride was not the events of the day, not the new career that he was about to begin. One face was constantly before his mental vision, the face of the beautiful young girl--Miss Gladys March, the bills called her--who had played the part of _Ethel Darlington_. Why did her face haunt him so persistently? he asked himself. She was a complete stranger to him, yet, somehow, he felt as if he had known her all his life. His thoughts were still on her when he left the car and began his lonely walk. So absorbed was he in meditation that he did not notice that from the moment he alighted from the car he was followed at a short distance by a man whose face was concealed by a high coat collar and a slouch hat. The full moon was shining brightly, but Al's pursuer lurked in the shadows of the trees and shrubbery that lined the road on either side. For half an hour this pursuit of the boy continued; then the man gave a shrill whistle. As Al turned, three masked men sprang from a clump of bushes on his left and seized him. Before he could cry out a gag was thrust into his mouth. A few moments later he was bound hand and foot. Then one of his assailants lifted him in his arms and bore him up a side road, near which the assault had been committed. A covered wagon stood in waiting here. Al was placed in it; then his captors and the man who had followed him from the car, entered, and the vehicle was driven rapidly away. At the expiration of, perhaps, half an hour the wagon was brought to a standstill, and Al was lifted out. It was a strange sight that met his gaze. Half a dozen masked men were assembled under a tree, over one of the boughs of which was flung a stout rope.