At last, one crisp, delightful morning in late October, Calista came in from an early run in the garden with her hands full of the hardy flowers which that mild climate often spares till Christmas. As she came into the entry, she found old Cassius talking with Mr. Fabian, and both wearing such anxious, perturbed faces that she started and dropped her basket. "Oh, I am sure something has happened to aunt!" said she. "Do tell me! What is it?" "Don't alarm yourself, my dear," said Mr. Fabian. "I think the time has come for interfering in your poor aunt's behalf. Tell Miss Calista your story, Cassius, but first come in out of the draught." "Tom Edgar and me was a-coming home from sitting up with old Mr. Heminway," Cassius began, without any of his usual prefaces; "it was about five, and not very light, when we see old Zeke and Jael come out of Miss Stanfield's house, all loaded down with bundles. They hid 'em away in the Red Hollow, and started back for more, I suppose. Tom says, says he,— "'Uncle Cash, they're robbing the house. I wonder if they've killed the old lady?' "Says I, 'Tom, you keep watch here, and I'll run home and get my horse and ride into town as fast as I can go.' "You see, I thought Tom was the strongest, if it came to a tussle, and I knew the old mare would go faster with me than with any one." "Oh, Mr. Fabian, do let us go out there at once!" said Calista, in an agony of impatience. "Oh, won't you do something?" "We will do everything. Don't distress yourself, my dear. We must get some force together, and proper authority, and then we will set out directly," said Mr. Fabian. "But you will take me with you?" said Calista. "No, my dear, not till we find out what state things are in. I promise you, you shall go the moment there is anything to do. Now, be a good girl and try to keep composed." "I will," said Calista; "only do send for me as soon as you can." Mr. Fabian was not the man to let grass grow under his feet, but it seemed an age of agonized suspense before Tom Edgar arrived on his splendid black horse, about the last relic of his prosperous days. "We've caught them—caught them in the very act!" said he, as soon as he could speak. "I believe they would have got off, but the old woman, in her hurry, tried to cross the middle of the hollow, and got bogged. I had hard work to save her, I can tell you. I thought I should go in myself. They had cleaned out the house pretty well, but we have got some of the things, and I guess we shall find the rest." "But my aunt!" exclaimed Calista. "Never mind the things." "Well, I'm afraid the old lady is in a pretty bad way," said Tom, gravely. "Mr. Fabian says you are to come out in the little carriage directly, and bring Aunt Betsy and the doctor; and here's a note for madam. I spoke to the old lady coming along, and she will be all ready, and the doctor is half way there by this time. Here's the note." "Mr. Fabian says: