"It's Denton!" he exclaimed internally, but he controlled his surprise so far as not to say a word.
"He is on our track," thought our hero. "What can be his purpose?"
Oliver wished to communicate his discovery to Bundy, but Denton's presence interfered. His guardian was not an observant man, and thus far suspected nothing. Before Oliver obtained any opportunity the stage reached its destination.
Kelso was a village of moderate size. A small hotel provided accommodation for passing travellers. Here the three stage passengers descended and sought accommodation. The house was almost empty, and no difficulty was experienced. Denton registered his name as Felix Graham, from Milwaukee. He registered first, and for a special reason, that the false name might divert suspicion, if any was entertained.
"Do you know our fellow-passenger, Mr. Bundy?" asked Oliver, when they were in the room assigned them, preparing for supper.
"I only know that he is from Milwaukee," he answered.
"My eyes are sharper than yours, Mr. Bundy," he said. "He is our old acquaintance, Denton, who tried to rob you in Chicago."
"How do you know?" he asked. "Surely it cannot be. Denton had black hair."
"And this man wears a red wig," said Oliver.
"Are you sure of this?" asked Nicholas thoughtfully.
"In the stage, when his glasses came off."
"What does this mean?" said Bundy, half to himself.
"It means that he is on our track," said Oliver coolly.
"You have asked me too much. Ask me some other conundrum."
"Can he hope to rob me again? It must be that."
"Possibly he has some other object in view. I should like to know."
"I'll tell you how to do it, Mr. Bundy. Will you authorize me to manage?"
"Then I will take pains to mention in his presence before the landlord that we are going back to Chicago in the morning, and wish to engage seats in the stage. If he is following us he will do the same."
After supper Denton took out a cigar, and began to smoke in the office of the inn. Oliver enquired of the landlord:
"When does the stage start in the morning?"
"True, but our business takes little time to transact. Let us have breakfast in time."
The next morning when the stage drew up before the door, not only Oliver and Bundy, but Denton also, were standing on the piazza, with their carpet-bags, ready to depart.