"Yes; I heard them planning it in the cabin in Murderer’s Hollow," I answered, simply. "Good heavens! what could have taken you there, Gilbert?" he asked, as if still doubting what I said. "I was crossing the valley, and reached the cabin as the robbers came up," I answered, striving to make myself clear, "and seeing them first, hid in the shadow of the hut." "You said one before, and now you say two," he answered, as if the discrepancy confirmed his thought that I was mad. "There were two—Burke and Blott." "Burke and Blott?" "Yes; our Blott, and Burke, who robbed Mr. Singleton; but when Blott refused to aid, Burke killed him." "What is all this you are telling me, my poor boy?" he replied, his voice shaking. "Surely you are dreaming." "No, I’m not; and afterward Burke hurried away to wait your coming." "Burke! What on earth can he be doing here, unless, indeed, he has been driven from his home, and so turned outlaw. Did he know it was me?" "I think not, for I never thought of you at all." "How did he know I was coming this way to-night?" "Some one in Appletop sent him word, he said." "He only wanted to rob me. He could not have wished to kill me, unless in revenge!" Uncle Job answered, inquiringly. "Yes, both rob and kill you, and as it had been agreed between him and the person in Appletop, he said." Upon this I told Uncle Job all that I had heard and seen at the cabin. When I had finished, he stood for a long time silent, asking himself over and over again who it was that could have informed Burke of his coming, or that desired his death, and wherefore, if, indeed, it was not a ruse of Burke’s to deceive Blott. "I can’t make it out," he said at last. "The river is too low for boats to pass the rapids, so I had to come this way, and started late on purpose to avoid highwaymen, for I have a lot of money with me." "Burke knew all about it," I answered; "even the hour you were to start." "Then it is lucky I was delayed; but I have still time to pay my respects to him, the villain!" he answered, throwing the rein over his horse’s neck. "Time to do what?" I asked. "To go on to the cabin and take or kill Burke, the cold-blooded assassin!" he answered, grimly. "No, no! You’ll not do that, Uncle Job, surely!" I cried. "Yes, I must have Burke, or know who it is that sent him word. My life may depend upon it hereafter." "He’ll kill you! He’s a devil, but soft and purring like a cat," I answered, remembering Burke’s way. "I will not give him a chance. Besides, Blott may not be dead." "I know he is, for his hand dropped like lead," I answered. "Very likely, and deserves it for the company he was in; but pistols don’t always kill. You stay here," he went on, preparing to mount; "there is no danger, and I will be back in an hour." "No. If you’re going, I’m going, too," I answered, determined not to be alone again in this forest, so full of horrors.