veranda. Zany was listening with craned neck from the dining-room
door, and other "yard folks," great and small, were gathering also.

"What IS the matter?" cried Mrs. Baron.

Paying no heed to her, Mr. Baron said to his overseer, "Aun' Jinkey
must know about this rascally flight and theft. Bring her here."

"Uncle," said Miss Lou, firmly, "Aun' Jinkey doesn't know anything
about Chunk's disappearance. I've been to her cabin and asked her."

"As if the cunning old witch would tell you anything! Bring her
here, I say, Perkins. It's time the spirit of insubordination on
this place received a wholesome check."

"Why!" exclaimed Mrs. Baron, "it seems but a little while ago that
Chunk was working quietly in the garden."

"En I reckon hit ain't much more'n two hours gone sence I seed 'im
comin' out o' the cabin, lazin' and eatin' hoe-cake," added Perkins
as he started angrily to obey his orders.

"He had mischief in his mind, though, now I think of it." resumed
Mrs. Baron, "for he seemed startled when he saw me, and tried to
edge away to the cabin. I thought he was afraid I would catch his
granny smoking instead of doing urgent work. Louise, you were in the
cabin at the time. Why should Chunk be so anxious to get there
before I did?"

"I have not spoken to him this afternoon, and know nothing of his