vy a price every time I
enter this place. You know that I am associated with the prisoner's
lawyer, but we'll waive that right--I'll go to the sheriff and get an
order from him."

"Why, my dear sir, that's unnecessary. Walk right in; but remember your
promise not to say anything about that ham. There are a lot of
vegetarians in this town, and if they hear of my eating meat they'll
hold it against me. Walk in, sir."

I found Alf in high spirits. Conkwright had called and had assured him
that his day of liberty was not far off. I told him that the old house
was deserted, and he stood musing, looking at me dreamily, as if his
mind were hovering over the scenes of his boyhood. I let him dream, for
I knew the sweetness of a melancholy reverie. Sometimes the soul is
impatient of the body's dogged hold on life, and steals away to view its
future domain, to draw in advance upon its coming freedom--now
lingering, now swifter than a hawk--and then it comes back and we say
that we have been absent-minded. Alf started--his soul had returned.
"And weren't you surprised to see them drive toward town?" he asked.

"Who, your parents and Guinea? They didn't; they drove toward the
railway station."

"But they came to town, my dear boy--were here in this jail. They must
have driven round to deceive you, for they knew that you would want to
come with them, and they deceived you to spare you the pain of seeing us
together. And I'm glad you were spared, though mother stood it much
better than I expected. But this was because she firmly believes I'll be
cleared. They haven't been gone a great while--there's a station not far
from this town. Father played another trick on you. Yesterday, when he
came to town to deed over the land, he left you dozing in the wagon and
slipped off round here. I was surprised, for I had positively ordered
him not to come. But he set me to laughing before he got in. 'Open that
door by the order of the sheriff!' he cried at the jailer. 'Here's the
order; look at it, but don't you look at me. Fight you in a minit.' And
then he came in, and the first thing he told me was that they had gaffs
on. He said that he had fought hard to keep mother from coming, at night
when the rest were asleep; and I swore that she must not come, but she
did. Bill, you brought me a message that sent me to heaven; and now let
me ask if you know that Guinea loves you? There, don't say a word--you
know it. She told me, standing where you a