was picked up
by Tad from the floor, where he had fallen, having been pushed violently
over a chair by Captain Cy. Bos'n, frightened and sobbing, was clinging
wildly to Miss Dawes, who had clung just as firmly to her. The captain's
voice rang through the room.

"That's enough," he said. "That's enough and some over. Atkins, take
that feller out of this house and off my premises. As for the girl,
that's for us to fight out in the courts. I'm her guardian,
lawfully appointed, and you nor nobody else can touch her while that
appointment's good. Here it is--right here. Now look at it and clear
out."

He held, for the congressman's inspection, the document which, inclosed
in the long envelope, had been received that morning. His visit to
Ostable, made some weeks before, had been for the purpose of applying
to the probate court for the appointment as Emily's guardian. He had
applied before the news of her father's coming to life reached him. The
appointment itself had arrived just in time.

Mr. Atkins studied the document with care. When he spoke it was with
considerable agitation and without his usual diplomacy.

"Humph!" he grunted. "Humph! I see. Well, sir, I have some influence in
this section and I shall see how long your--your TRICK will prevent the
child's going where she belongs. I wish you to understand that I shall
continue this fight to the very last. I--I am not one to be easily
beaten. Simpson, you and Thomas come with me. This night's despicable
chicanery is only the beginning. This is bad business for you, Cy
Whittaker," he snarled, his self-control vanishing, "and"--with a
vindictive glance at the schoolmistress--"for those who are with you in
it. That appointment was obtained under false pretenses and I can prove
it. Your tricks don't scare me. I've had experience with TRICKS before."

"Yup. So I've heard. Well, Heman, I ain't as well up in tricks as you
claim to be, nor my stockin' isn't as well padded as yours, maybe. But
while there's a ten-cent piece left in the toe of it I'll fight you and
the skunk whose 'rights' you seem to have taken such a shine to. And,
after that, while there's a lawyer that 'll trust me. And, meantime,
that little girl stays right here, and you touch her if you dare, any of
you! Anything more to say?"

But the Honorable's dignity had returned. Possibly he thought he
had said too much already. A moment later the door banged behind the
discomforted boarding party.

Captain