afore as I went to," she said; "I larnt
to reed theer an' write a bit, but--but theer's other things I'd loike
to know. Tha canst understand," she added a little abruptly, "I need na
tell yo'. Little Jud Bates said as yo' had a class o' yore own, an'
it come into my moind as I would ax yo' about it. If I go to th' skoo
I--I'd loike to be wi' ye."

"You can come to me," said Anice. "And do you know, I think you can help
me." This thought had occurred to her suddenly. "I am sure you can help
me," she repeated.

When Joan at last started to go away, she paused before the picture,
hesitating for a moment, and then she turned to Anice again.

"Yo' say as th' book maks it seem real as th' pictur," she said.

"It seems so to me," Anice answered.

"Will yof lend me th' book?" she asked abruptly.

Anice's own Bible lay upon a side-table. She took it up and handed it to
the girl, saying simply, "I will give you this one if you will take it
It was mine."

And Joan carried the book away with her.

CHAPTER XIV - The Open "Davy"

Mester Derik

Th' rools is ben broak agen on th' quiet bi them as broak em
afore, i naim no naimes an wudnt say nowt but our loifes is
in danger And more than one, i Only ax yo' tu Wach out. i am

Respekfully

A honest man wi a famly tu fede

The engineer found this letter near his plate one morning on coming down
to breakfast. His landlady explained that her daughter had picked it up
inside the garden gate, where it had been thrown upon the gravel-walk,
evidently from the road.

Derrick read it twice or three times before putting it in his pocket.
Upon the whole, he was not unprepared for the intelligence. He knew
enough of human nature--such human nature as Lowrie represented--to feel
sure that the calm could not continue. If for the present the man did
not defy him openly, he would disobey him in secret, while biding his
time for other means of retaliation.

Derrick had been on the lookout for some effort at revenge; but so far
since the night Joan had met him upon the road, Lowrie outwardly had
been perfectly quiet and submissive.

After reading the letter, Derrick made up his mind to prompt and
decisive measures, and set about considering what these measures should
be, There was only one certain means of redress and safety,--Lowrie must
be got rid of at once. It would not be a difficult matter either.
There was to be a meeting of the owners that v