"Mr. Austin will call the dog away," she said confidently, turning to
the man in the door. Austin's sallow face lighted with a sudden
malicious grin, and there was positive joy in his voice.

"You may be satisfied, but I am not. If you desire to transact business
with this impertinent stranger, Mrs. Delancy, you'll have to do so under
existing conditions. I do not approve of him or his methods, and my dog
doesn't either. You can trust a dog for knowing a man for what he is.
Mrs. Austin and I are going to the house. You may remain, of course; I
have no right to command you to follow. When you are ready to drive to
the station, please come to the house. I'll be ready. Your Mr. Crosby
may leave when he likes--IF HE CAN. Come, Elizabeth." With this defiant
thrust, Mr. Austin stalked from the barn, followed by his wife. Mrs.
Delancy started to follow but checked herself immediately, a flush of
anger mounting to her brow. After a long pause she spoke.

"I don't understand how you came to be where you are, Mr. Crosby," she
said slowly. He related his experiences rapidly and laughed with her
simply because she had a way with her.

"You'll pardon me for laughing," she giggled.

"With all my heart," he replied gallantly. "It must be very funny.
However, this is not business. You are in a hurry to get away from here
and--I'm not, it seems. Briefly, Mrs. Delancy, I have the papers you are
to sign before we begin your action against the Fairwater estate. You
know what they are through Mr. Rolfe."

"Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Crosby, to say to you that I have decided to