Blind Benner's thoughts went to Lizzi. He knew what her touch was to
him.

While talking, Bill had got the violin and was tuning it. Hunch caught
up his horn and blew a series of discordant notes. A frown settled on
Bill's brow as he put the violin back into the box, while Hunch
exclaimed:

"That devil of yers couldn't stand a brass band, ef one horn scares him,
an' I guess there's no use in gittin' a lock uv hair from Parson
Lawrence."

"Yes, there is. Get it for me. When I'm alone I can't resist the
temptation sometimes, and I haven't got you to drive Satan away. Yes,
Hunch," he pleaded, "please get it for me."

Early the next morning Hunch started for Parson Lawrence's home, near
the Boomer Creek church. On his way he met the mail-carrier going to
Three-Sisters, and sent a note to Lizzi. It read:

"LIZZI: Me and Benner is visitin' Bill Kellar fer fun.

HUNCH."

The dwarf never gave a thought to the store or his father, nor for a
moment regretted the loss of a situation, which he knew would be the
penalty of his unceremonious departure. The note to Lizzi would inform
Benner's friends of his whereabouts and quiet their uneasiness.

"Parson," Hunch said, meeting the reverend gentleman at the church door,
"what der yer think crazy Bill Kellar's got inter his head now?"

"I am sure I cannot imagine. A crazy man's notions are hard to guess."

"He still thinks the devil's got him by the ear an' makes him play the
fiddle in spite of hisself."

"That is his old delusion, and I'm afraid he will never be rid of it."

"But he thinks yer kin cure him, Parson."

"How?" asked the kindly man, much amused, but willing to be of
assistance to the violinist.

"By givin' him a lock uv yer hair ter keep in the fiddle-box, and
thet'll keep the devil out so he can't coax Bill."

"He wants a fetich," the clergyman replied sharply, not inclined to
encourage the superstition.

"Oh! he's crazy enough ter want anythin'," Hunch remarked innocently,
not knowing what a fetich was, but thinking it a queer name for a lock
of hair.

The minister laughed. He did not think it wrong to humor the fancies of
the insane, and so complied with the request.

Bill received the lock of hair with demonstrative joy and effusive
thanks, and Benner shook the dwarf's hand gratefully.

Within a week the trio departed on their tour. A man whom Bill could
trust was left in charge of his f