As she spoke, she drew out a purse, and let him see something of its
golden contents.

"Say on, Mrs. Allen. You may trust me. If you ask anything short of
a crime, it shall be done. Yes, you have been kind to me and mine,
and now I will repay you, if in my power to do so."

Jacob Perkins was in earnest. But, whether gratitude, or that
apparition of golden sovereigns, had most influence upon him, cannot
at this remote period be said.

"Can you get a pair of horses and a carriage, or light wagon,
to-night?"

"I can," replied Jacob.

"And so as not to excite undue curiosity?"

"I think so."

"Very well. Next, will you drive that team all night?"

And Mrs. Allen played with the purse of gold, and let the coins it
contained strike each other with a musical chink, very pleasant to
the ear of Jacob Perkins.

"You shall be paid handsomely for your trouble," added the lady, as
she fixed her beautiful blue eyes upon Jacob with an earnest, almost
pleading look.