INTRODUCES AN ADVENTURER Colonel Preston, as I have already said, was a rich man.

He owned no real estate in the town of Crampton, except the house in which he lived.

His property was chiefly in stocks of different kinds.

Included in these was a considerable amount of stock in a woolen manufacturing establishment, situated in Melville, some twelve miles distant.
Dividends upon these were paid semi-annually, on the first of April and October.

It was the custom of Colonel Preston at these dates to drive over to Melville, receive his dividends, and then drive back again.
Now, unfortunately for the welfare of the community, there are some persons who, unwilling to make a living by honest industry, prefer to possess themselves unlawfully of means to maintain their unprofitable lives.