Hester in that austere congregation, appeared the glazed tile
roof of Little Thunder's habitation, a two-story abode of modest
proportions and olden type. As the land baron passed, a brindle cow in
the side yard saluted the morn, calling the sluggard from his couch,
but at the manor, which the patroon shortly reached, the ever wakeful
Oly-koeks was already engaged in chopping wood near the kitchen door.
The growling of the hound at his feet called the care-taker's
attention to the master's coming, and, driving the ax into an
obstinate stick of hickory, he donned his coat, drawing near the
vehicle, where he stood in stupid wonderment as the land baron
alighted.

"Any callers, Oly-koeks?" carelessly asked the master.

"A committee of barn-burners, Mynheer, to ask you not to serve any
more writs."

"And so give them time to fight me with the lawmakers! But there;
carry my portmanteau into the library and"--as Oloffe's upper lip drew
back--"teach your dog to know me."

"He belonged to the old master, Mynheer. When he died, the dog lay
near his grave day and night."

"I dare say; like master, like dog! But fetch the portmanteau, you
Dutch varlet!" Entering the house, while the coachman drove the tired
horses toward the barn. "There's something in it I want. Bring it
here." As he passed into the library. "Yes; I put it in there, I am
sure. Ah, here we have it!" And unpacking the valise, he took
therefrom a handsome French writing case.

"Thou Wily Limb of the Law," wrote the patroon, "be it known by these
presents, thou art summoned to appear before me! I have work for
you--not to serve any one with a writ; assign; bring an action, or any
of your rascally, pettifogging tricks! Send me no demurrer, but your
own intemperate self."

Which epistle the patroon addressed to his legal satellite and
despatched by messenger.

CHAPTER XI

THE QUEST OF THE SOLDIER

Several bleak days were followed by a little June weather in October.
A somnolent influence rested everywhere. Above the undulation of land
on the horizon were the clouds, like heavenly hills, reflecting their
radiance on those earthly elevations. The celestial mountains and
valleys gave wondrous perspective to the outlook, and around them lay
an atmosphere, unreal and idyllic.

On such a morning Susan stood at a turn in the road, gazing after a
departing vehicle with ill-concealed satisfaction and yet withal some
dubiousness. Now that the plan, sugges