dged, "but we couldn't skeercely
tutor hit no otherwise--an' we keeps thet lever fastened with a chain
an' padlock."

"But how erbout ther rope," persisted O'Keefe, and the older man
explained. "Sometimes we has ter nail up loose planks inside thet
runway, an' when we does a feller lets hisself down on thet rope."

In a week, the midsummer term of the High-court would convene and the
case of the man who had wounded his neighbor would be called for trial.

The activities of possible informers became again a pregnant danger to
the erstwhile Ku-Klux operators and again a squad of men with rifles
set out to cope with the situation.

Halloway had slipped away for the time being, but the movements of
Jerry and Alexander had been duly watched and reported. It did not
altogether please the men charged with this new duty to operate about
Perry Center. They would have preferred the wilder territory adjacent
either to Shoulder-blade creek or to Coal City, but the thing must be
accomplished and all matters are relative. If Perry Center lay in a
smoother country it was still mountain country and wild enough if one
were careful.

On an evening gorgeously alight with a full moon, Jerry came to the
McGivins' house as was his custom. These were times when he did not
have to consider sharing the right of way with a rival, and he was
availing himself of his undisputed respite.

Shadows of deep purple-blue lay everywhere like velvet islands in the
silver flood of the moon's radiance. Through the timbered slopes came
the soft cadences of the night's minstrels--the voices of frogs and
katydids and the plaintive call of the whippoorwills.

Alexander had been deeply reflective as she sat with her lovely chin
resting on one hand, listening to the low-pitched voice in which her
lover was pleading his cause.

"I kain't be sure--not yit," was her uncertain response to all his
argument.

They saw a shadow fall across the lighted doorway at their backs, and
heard the somewhat disturbed voice of Warwick McGivins.

"I've got ter go over thar ter ther wheat elevator, I reckon. I kain't
find ther key nowhars an' I mistrusts I left hit in ther door when I
war weighin' up wheat this evening; I'll jest leave ther two of ye hyar
fer a spell."

Jerry rose obligingly to his feet. "I reckon my legs is a few y'ars
younger than yourn," he announced cheerfully. "I'll jest teck my foot
in my hand and light out fer over thar. Hit hain't bu