with his hand on the latch, "if you hear somebody bein' murdered over in
that direction you needn't call the constable, neither."

"But--but, hold on, Cap'n Shad! You ain't finished your own supper yet
and Zoeth's waiting up to the store for you to come back so's he can
come down and get his."

The reply was emphatic and, in its way, conclusive.

"To the blue brimstone with the supper!" roared Shadrach. "It can wait
and so can Zoeth. If he can't he can do the next best."

He was absent for half an hour. When he returned Mr. Hamilton was in the
dining-room. Shadrach entered, bearing the precious shotgun. He stood it
carefully in the corner. There was a satisfied look in his eye.

"For goodness' sake, Shadrach!" exclaimed Zoeth, "what have you been
thinkin' of? There I was waitin' and waitin' and hankerin' and hankerin'
and no you nor no supper. I had to lock up the store finally. 'Twas
either that or starve. I ain't a fault-finder, generally speakin', but I
have to eat, same as other folks."

His partner paid not the least attention. His first remark was in the
form of a question addressed to Mr. Chase.

"Look here, Isaiah," he demanded, "did I understand you to say that
Mary-'Gusta was with you when that sculpin come to borrow my gun?"

"Yup. She was here."