ou?" But
no answer came from the surrounding spectators. Brother Buford had faded
away. The old lady, however, after due conventions, was permitted to go
home.

It was with joy in her heart that Aunt Dicey Fairfax went back to her
little cottage after her dismissal, but her face clouded when soon after
Robert Fairfax came in.

"Hyeah you come as usual," she said with well-feigned anger. "Tryin' to
sof' soap me aftah you been carryin' on. You ain't changed one mite fu'
all yo' bein' a man. What you talk to me dat away in co't fu'?"

Fairfax's face was very grave. "It was necessary, Aunt Dicey," he said.
"You know I'm a lawyer now, and there are certain things that lawyers
have to do whether they like it or not. You don't understand. That man
Buford is a scoundrel, and he came very near leading you into a very
dangerous and criminal act. I am glad I was near to save you."

"Oh, honey, chile, I didn't know dat. Set down an' tell me all erbout
it."

This the attorney did, and the old lady's indignation blazed forth.
"Well, I hope to de Lawd you'll fin' dat rascal an' larrup him ontwell
he cain't stan' straight."

"No, we're going to do better than that and a great deal better. If we
find him we are going to send him where he won't inveigle any more
innocent people into rascality, and you're going to help us."

"W'y, sut'ny, chile, I'll do all I kin to he'p you git dat rascal, but I
don't know whaih he lives, case he's allus come hyeah to see me."

"He'll come back some day. In the meantime we will be laying for him."

Aunt Dicey was putting some very flaky biscuits into the oven, and
perhaps the memory of other days made the young lawyer prolong his visit
and his explanation. When, however, he left, it was with well-laid plans
to catch Jason Buford napping.

It did not take long. Stealthily that same evening a tapping came at
Aunt Dicey's door. She opened it, and a small, crouching figure crept
in. It was Mr. Buford. He turned down the collar of his coat which he
had had closely up about his face and said:

"Well, well, Sis' Callender, you sut'ny have spoiled us all."

"La, Brothah Buford, come in hyeah an' set down. Whaih you been?"

"I been hidin' fu' feah of that testimony you give in the court room.
What did you do that fu'?"

"La, me, I didn't know, you didn't 'splain to me in de fust."

"Well, you see, you spoiled it, an' I've got to git out of town as soon
as I kin. Sis' Callender, dese hyeah white