my lawful capacity to look into
the matter, I hear you say with my own ears that no doctor shall put
foot across your threshold. Now, look at it straight, Sam. Even if Joe
was to get well a big, serious case may come up against you--I don't
promise that you'll come off free even as it is, but if the child was to
_die_--I say if he was to happen to pass away, and I've seen little ones
die when half a dozen skilled doctors was standing by--Sam Pitman, in
that case, no lawyer on earth could keep you out of limbo. I tell you,
you don't know it, but right this minute you are in the tightest hole
you ever slid into. A jury in your case wouldn't leave their seats. Men
pity helpless children in this life more'n they do big hulking men of
your stripe, and they'd sock it to you to the full extent of the law.
Even if it wasn't tried at court, take it as a hint from me, the men of
these mountains would get together in a body and lynch you. Reports have
already been going round to your eternal discredit about this child, and
one more act of yours will simply settle your hash. This is me talking,
Sam."

"You--you dare to come here--" But Pitman's rage was tinctured with
actual fear of the man before him, and his intended threat was not
uttered. He was white and quivering, but he was helpless. A sound broke
the stillness that now fell between the two men. It was the steady
trotting of a horse on the road.

"There's Doc now," Henley announced, and his eyes met Pitman's, which
were kindling again.

"Well, I've said he sha'n't--an', by God--" Pitman started toward the
house, but Henley sprang up and faced him. Laying his hand heavily on
the farmer's shoulder he cried almost with a hiss of fury: "Let that
doctor alone, you dirty whelp! He's going to crawl up that ladder to
that hole under the roof to see that boy. You and me are nigh the same
size, and we can settle right here. You tried me once before, maybe you
want another dose. Stir a peg to prevent this thing and I'll drive your
head into your shoulders same as I would a wedge in a split log."

Pitman glared helplessly, and then he showed defeat. With his eyes on
the ground, and writhing from beneath Henley's hand, he said:

"The boy hain't bad off, nohow!"

"Well, we'll see what Doc Stone has to say about it," Henley retorted.
"He's authority, an' you hain't."

Pitman had no reply ready. They heard the gate open and close, and then
on the still air came the gentle voice of