I don't know but it is a good plan. No, he wouldn't live
here. He will do as you request."

"Well, go on home now and rest. Hanged if you don't look as if you've
been on trial for your life," he added, laughing. "Tell him that I'm not
crushed--that it has come out better than I expected."

The night was dark, the road was desolate, and I heard the lonesome
lowing of the cattle. And now and then a horseman passed me, for I was
not eager to get home. At a gate near the road-side some one was
standing with a lantern, and just behind me came the rattle of an old
vehicle. I turned aside to let it pass, and as I did the light of the
lantern fell upon me and a voice asked: "That you, Mr. Hawes?"

"Yes," I answered, turning back into the road and following a buggy.

"I 'lowed so," said a man in the buggy, "for we don't grow many of your
size about here. I have heard that they used to, but they don't now.
Good many things have happened since that day you come over to see me
about the school. I'm Perdue. And, by the way, there's a hundred dollars
at my house waitin' for you, and if you don't come after it I'll send it
over."

"But you don't owe me anything yet," I replied.

"Yes, the money's there and it's yourn. You couldn't help not bein' in a
fix to teach. As I say, it's there for you, and you might as well have
it. Sorry for the old folks, tell 'em, but it can't be helped."

On he drove, shouting back that he would send the money the next day,
and my protest, if, indeed, I entered one, was weak and faltering, for
of all men in that neighborhood I thought that I stood most in need of a
hundred dollars.

Now I was nearing the house. The hour was late, but a light was burning
in the sitting-room. No one came out, though my horse's hoofs fell hard
enough upon the stones to tell them of my coming; and when I got down at
the gate I found a horse tied to the fence. Some person, eager to bear
evil tidings, had forestalled me. I led my horse to the stable, went to
the house, and had just stepped into the passage when Parker, the deputy
sheriff, came out of the sitting-room. "I thought you'd go on back to
the jail to stay a while, so I came on over to tell them. No trouble,
you know--only a short distance out of my way."

All within was silent. I stepped inside. The old man was standing with
his back to the fire-place; the old woman sat with her book in her lap
and Guinea stood at the window, looking out into the darkness. I s