publicity was dazzling. He imagined the morrow with its possibility of
social triumph; he went as far as to feel that Mrs. Shrimplin now had a
certain sneaking respect for him.

"Did you see tracks in the snow?" demanded Custer.

"No, I didn't see nothing," declared Mr. Shrimplin.

"You seen young John North."

It was Mrs. Shrimplin who spoke.

"Well, yes, I seen young John North--I said I seen him!"




CHAPTER SIX

PUTTING ON THE SCREWS


A score of men and boys followed the undertaker's wagon to the small
frame cottage that had been Archibald McBride's home for half a century,
and a group of these assembled about the gate as the wagon drew up
before it. Along the quiet street, windows were raised and doors were
opened. It was perhaps the first time, as it was to be the last, that
Archibald McBride's neighbors took note of his home-coming.

His keys had been found and intrusted to one of the policemen who