“He told me further that he was in a position to know, because the people were relatives of his, and he had a half-interest in the place, but that there was plenty of land nearer home, and he’d not stand at that. I wondered a little, but it seemed all right, as he appeared to know all about it, and referred me to some persons who said he was all right and that he had lived here all his life. I thought myself lucky to get a place where there was already a house built, and did not inquire further. I expected to stay till I should find a piece of land I wanted to buy, and I would have paid Muirhead rent.” Agnes was silent for a little while, then she said, “Then this Muirhead is not a friend of yours?” “No, an acquaintance merely. I was directed to him by some one who said he knew all about the country, having been born and brought up near by.” “So he was. He is my mother’s half-brother, and I think he would do anything to injure us. Every one says he has a right to the property on which he is living, but I don’t think so. He certainly ought not to have more than half, yet he takes it all, and I know my grandfather would have given my mother a share of whatever he had. But there is no use trying to fight it. I am only a girl, and father is not in a state to help, so there is no one to do anything about it, but I feel sure that Humphrey Muirhead is trying to get us from the neighborhood, and he’ll do everything against us, and that is why he sent you here.” “I see,” said Parker Willett, smiling, “though I think it was decidedly against me, too, as it turned out.” “It was too bad that you should have suffered by his wickedness, though I didn’t mean that exactly as it sounded.” “I know that. It is really the result of my own folly. I ought to have made further investigation, and I ought to have been less determined to get in. I lost my temper, and Polly, you know--her voice is not reassuring.” Agnes laughed. “Dear Polly! her voice does go through one sometimes.” “So does her shot,” returned Parker, with a wry face. “She feels very sorry,” said Agnes, “though she says you brought it on yourself.” “So I did. I acknowledge that.” “She is a good shot, and it is a mercy you were not killed. Now don’t you think you’d better lie down again?” It was quite evident that the patient was ready for a change of position, and Agnes, having made him comfortable, went down to Polly full of the information that had just been given her. Polly listened attentively to what Agnes had to tell her. “I’d like to have Hump Muirhead on the end of this fork,” she said, brandishing her flesh fork in her hand. “I’d roast him over the coals, would I.” “Oh, Polly, you’re as bad as the Indians.” “Am I then? I am not. But a bad man needs a gridiron and brimstone; he’ll get it yet.” “Oh, Polly!” Agnes’s shocked voice exclaimed again.