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my plans before I do 'em. Jim Sandage is a good man, but he ain't broad-gauge—no offence, Abner."

"None tuk, Mr. Jones."

"Besides, I know ever'thing he'll say, an' he won't see nothin' like I see it. I don't like it a-tall."

"At least he'll understand somethin'," pressed Abner.

"M-somethin'—maybe. I shore don't like this, Addy."

But he closed his boxes, waddled out of his office with the young folks, and heaved himself into the waiting car.

At the prison another of the sheriff's numerous brood admitted the trio. While the child went to call its mother, the railroad builder looked curiously around the bare interior of his "donjon." When Mrs. Bascom appeared in an inner doorway, she cried out, "Law, Miss Addy, you ain't goin' up where the prisoners air, I hope."

The girl insisted. Mrs. Bascom brought in an oil lamp, although it was still quite light in the lower story.

Abner took the lamp and led the way up the plain box stairs, through the trap door, and into the dark, noisome upper story. His light displayed the iron cages on both sides of the aisle. Adelaide held tightly to his arm but said nothing. Behind them toiled her ponderous father, his flat yellow face expressionless in the light. His little burnt-out eyes glanced over the melancholy corridor. As the group moved forward a voice called out, "Abner Teeftaller, thank God, I see you at last. Tell that damn sheriff I didn't shoot ye. You know I was fightin' you a fair fight when somebody come up the dump and shot into us twicet."

"That Tim Fraley?" asked Abner, looking in the direction of the voice.

"Shore God is, Anber, an' yore frien', too. I didn't mean to pick that fight, you jumped on me, Ab, you know you did."

Adelaide said, "Your partner hamstrung two of Papa's mules, Mr. Fraley."

"I didn't have no partner, Miss Addy. Shallburger sent