Taking Nat Langham’s Store on his route, he soon found himself in the midst of a company of the roughest and lowest of the labouring-class population of the district. Smoking, drinking, gambling, and betting, were the usual order of proceedings; occasionally varied by a free fight, in which the use of knives and firearms were not unknown. Beyond a few brief glances from carelessly turned heads—the usual greeting to a fresh-comer—but little notice was taken of his advent into their midst. Calling for a liquor, and lighting his pipe, he joined a group at one of the tables, where play was in progress, and soon became an apparently interested spectator. Presently one of the players, turning to Stone, asked— "What are they going to do with Red Dick, Puffey?" "Oh, he is of too much importance to be dealt with by the authorities hereabouts." "What! do they intend sending him up to Quebec?" "Yes," replied Puffey; "and there he’ll stand a very poor chance." After a pause, "What do you know about him?" inquired Puffey. "I don’t know the fellow, and don’t want to," was the rejoinder. "I only felt interested because I was with the force when he was caught." "Oh, I see! you were one of the volunteer force that aided the police." "That’s so, sonny." "What was the name of him who took command of the volunteer force? Do you remember him?" "Yes, very well. It was a chap named Fellows, at Ranger’s." "Not been hereabouts long, has he?" inquired Puffey indifferently. "Not above six or seven months, I believe," was the reply. "Came from England, I think we were told?" "Yes." "He seemed to understand his business very well. Know much about him?" "I only know that he is said to be on friendly terms with Ranger, and is believed to be rather sweet on one of the women on his station." "Is that so?" added Puffey. "Then the fellow hasn’t lost much time." "Well, I can’t say for certain," continued the speaker, "as I work on a neighbouring farm; but I heard one of my mates talking a while ago about him." Puffey felt that here, at all events, was a source from whence some useful information might in all probability be gathered, but he was anxious not to appear too eager, for fear of exciting unnecessary inquiry. Allowing the conversation to drop, he sat and watched the players until the one he had held converse with gave signs of intending departure. Rising from his seat, Puffey sauntered out of the store, and lounged about for a while until he saw the other come out, when, accosting him, he said— "Look here, mate, I should like to have a word or two with you, if you can spare a few moments." "All right, Puffey," replied the fellow; "say on."