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THE RIDER OF THE BLACK HORSE

The expression on Dirck's face was bland and innocent, but the stranger glanced keenly at him before he spoke.

"Oh? you think he is one of the 'Legion,' too, do you? Well, I want to run across him some day. I should like to see how one of the family looked after living in this co—region for a while. Just now I think I 'll let him rest, and I 'll take mine too, if you are willing. I am tired, and must be stirring early to-morrow morning. What time shall we start?" he added, turning to Robert.

"Before sunrise," said Robert.

"That will suit me. I have no horse and we may not journey far together, but I hope to have one soon, and it may be that we shall have other meetings also. I bid you all good-night," he added, as he took the candle which Dirck had lighted and followed his host to the loft.

Robert still was seated at the table when Dirck returned to the room, and his thoughts were far from pleasing. He blamed himself for having so quickly revealed his name and the journey he was making. He had too quickly assumed that the General Clinton to whom Russell declared he was going was the same general who naturally was uppermost in his own mind. Besides he was now suspicious