had only then penetrated his understanding. "You and him had some
words!"

"Yes, we had some words," said Joe.

"Where's Missis Chase?" demanded Greening again, turning his eyes
suspiciously around the room.

"Upstairs, I told you Sol," replied Joe. "She went to bed early."

"Hush!" cautioned Greening, holding up his hand, listening intently. "I
hear her movin' around. Let me talk to her."

He tiptoed to the door at the foot of the stairs, and listened again;
tiptoed back to the outer portal, which he had left swinging behind him,
and closed it gently. There was no sound from above now to indicate that
Ollie was awake. Sol stood near Isom's body, straining and listening,
his hand to his ear.

"She must 'a' been turnin' over in bed," said he. "Well, I guess I'll
have to call her. I hate to do it, but she's got to be told."

"Yes, she must be told," said Joe.

Sol stood as if reflecting on it a little while. Joe was on the other
side of Isom's body, near the table. Both of them looked down into his
bloodless face.

"You had words!" said Greening, looking sternly at Joe. "What about?"

"It was a matter between him and me, Sol, it don't concern anybody
else," said Joe in a manner of dignity and reserve that was blunter than
his words. Sol was not impressed by this implied rebuke, and hint to
mind his own business.

"That ain't no answer," said he.

"Well, it will have to do for you, Sol," said Joe.

"I don't know about that," declared Sol. "If you can't give me the
straight of it, in plain words, I'll have to take you up."

Joe stood thoughtfully silent a little while. Then he raised his head
and looked at Sol steadily.

"If there's any arresting to be done--" he began, but checked himself
abruptly there, as if he had reconsidered what he started to say.
"Hadn't we better pick Isom up off the floor?" he suggested.

"No, no; don't touch him," Greening interposed hurriedly. "Leave him lay
for the coroner; that's the law."

"All right."

"I'll have to tell Missis Chase before we go," said Sol.

"Yes, you must tell her," Joe agreed.

Sol rapped on the woodwork of the wall at the bottom of the stairs with
his big knuckles. The sound rose sudden and echoing in the house. Ollie
was heard opening her door.

"Missis Chase--oh, Missis Chase!" called Greening.

"Who's that, who's that?" came Ollie's voice, tremulous and frightened,
little above a whisper, from above.

"It's Sol Greening. Don't come down h