“Johnnie,” said Clark, “he knew a precious sight more than you do, and told some things which I had forgotten myself. Why, that devil stood up there and slowly told the company not only what I did but what I felt. He brought it all back. He told how I looked at Stubbs, and how Stubbs looked at me in the boat. He told how we sat looking at each other, each in our own end of the boat.” Clark stopped again, and no one spoke for a long time. “I lost my breath and ran out,” he resumed, “and was afraid to go back. I did so at last. It was then almost midnight. I found him still sitting there. He smiled at me in a way that fairly made my blood run cold. ‘Crocker,’ said he, ‘sit down.’” At this Potts and John looked at each other in horror. “He knows that too?” said John. “Every thing,” returned Clark, dejectedly. “Well, when he said that I looked a little surprised, as you may be sure. “‘I thought you’d be back,’ said he, ‘for you want to see me, you know. You’re going to follow me,’ says he. ‘You’ve got your pistols all ready, so, as I always like to oblige a friend, I’ll give you a chance. Come.’ “At this I fairly staggered. “‘Come,’ says he, ‘I’ve got all that money, and Potts wants it back. And you’re going to get it from me. Come.’ “I swear to you I could not move. He smiled at me as before, and quietly got up and left the house. I stood for some time fixed to the spot. At last I grew reckless. ‘If he’s the devil himself,’ says I, ‘I’ll have it out with him.’ I rushed out and followed in his pursuit. After some time I overtook him. He was on horseback, but his horse was walking. He heard me coming. ‘Ah, Crocker,’ said he, quite merrily, ‘so you’ve come, have you?’ “I tore my pistol from my pocket and fired. The only reply was a loud laugh. He went on without turning his head. I was now sure that it was the devil, but I fired my other pistol. He gave a tremendous laugh, turned his horse, and rode full at me. His horse seemed as large as the village church. Every thing swam around, and I fell headforemost on the ground. I believe I lay there all night. When I came to it was morning, and I hurried straight here.” As he ended Clark arose, and, going to the sideboard, poured out a large glass of brandy, which he drank raw. “The fact is,” said John, after long thought, “you’ve been tricked. This fellow has doctored your pistols and frightened you.” “But I loaded them myself,” replied Clark. “When?” “Oh, I always keep them loaded in my room. I tried them, and found the charge was in them.” “Oh, somebody’s fixed them.” “I don’t think half as much about the pistols as about what he told me. What devil could have put all that into his head? Answer me that,” said Clark. “Somebody’s at work around us,” said John. “I feel it in my bones.” “We’re getting used up,” said Potts. “The girl’s gone again.” “The girl! Gone!” “Yes, and Mrs. Compton too.” “The devil!”