Irving Bacheller

“ The chauffeur had brought up the car, and the young lady got in with the constable and his prisoner. They rode to Coulterville.
“NOW, Miss Harriet, this is goin' to be a kind of a trial o' your faith in me,” said Riddles as he dismounted with the constable at the county seat and bade her good-by. “Ye can give up meat an' drink an' hope an' charity an' life; but faith—if it has a good solid foundation—is a thing to be clung to. If you'll hang onto your faith in me, I'll promise to prove that it's worth havin'.” ”

“ Riddles got a ride back to the Martin farm, reaching there about four o'clock. A large new motor-car stood in the drive. Its chauffeur moved the car out of their way. Miss Martin and her mother sat on the veranda with a handsomely dressed gentleman. Miss Harriet came to the kitchen door where Riddles had alighted and shook hands with him. ”

“ Now I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to keep watch on you. If you go to work and do the right thing by the old lady. I'll do what I can to help you. If you don't—you will find yourself in the hands of the law.”
“Deah Smith, I thank you!” Travers exclaimed. “You will see that I have a real gift for the art of being a gentleman."”
“There's a little too much art about you, my boy,” said Riddles. “Show me the heart of a gentleman and I'm with you.”
“My heart might be better, deah friend—I do not need to be reminded of that,” said Travers. “Still it is improving. ”

“ Riddles read the circular aloud as follows:
The Rescue Mercantile Company unlimited (in scope and capital) will open its store in Coulterville July 20th. It will sell for cash only the best meats and groceries at a reasonable margin of profit.
Its purpose is to grapple with the noted highwayman H.C.L. and throw him down and hold and bind him. No commissions to butlers or farm superintendents will be paid, directly or indirectly, by this company. The householders of the community are requested to assist us in this worthy and patriotic service by doing their own shopping. ”

“ I have promised that, some day, you shall know that I am as honest as I pretend to be. I ask you to wait until I am ready to tell you. If you let yourself be fooled by all this silly talk, you will never know the truth. Stick to your faith in me—no matter what they say.”
Turning to Mrs. Martin he added. “I want to thank you both for all your kindness. I'll never forget it. If you'll please send me down to Coulterville, I'll put on the farm suit an' bid ye good-by.”
“Keep the clothes you have on—they'll be more comfortable,” said Mrs. Martin.
“No, I'm goin' just as I came,” Riddles insisted. ”

“ The Distinguished Millionaire Gets the Gossip of the War Village and Learns of the Perils which Threaten His Employers—Especially Miss Harriet, in Whom He is Deeply Interested. He Warns Her and is Presently Arrested for Murder. ”

“ How's the store?”
“Crowded to the doors all day. It's going to be a godsend to this community. The profiteers are scared. Waters came to-day with a proposition to buy us out. I told him that he hadn't money enough to buy us out.”
“That's right. Now, Bradshaw, don't do any talking about me. On the day of the examination I'll show up with some witnesses and prove an alibi, and at the same time wipe out the bank-robber theory.”
They drove to Williamstown where Riddles bought a ready-made suit and overcoat. Then, after supper, he hired a motor-car, and set out in the darkness for Belleharbor. ”

“ Travers that knows and not you. Did he go an' point 'em out to ye an' tell ye they was my clothes?”
“No.”
“All right. Now I'm ready to be arrested,” said Riddles as he continued to whet the knife.
“If you'll get in with us, we'll take ye over to the county seat,” said the constable.
“I'll take him in my car, if you please,” said Miss Martin. “You can come along with us if you like.” Turning to Riddles she added, “I'll get some clothes for you, and be ready in five minutes.”
“I shall not need 'em,” said Riddles. “I shall return before night.”
“You're going to be put in jail,” said Percy. ”

“ I know a feller that's in love with ye. He's rich an' good-lookin' an' well broke an' intelligent an' stylish an' sound an' kind an' sixteen hands high—good head an' neck, too. Got more friends than you could shake a stick at. ”