Through the unnatural bustle, amid which Crickwater at the door of the closed office stood answering or ignoring questions and showing his intimates where Proudfit's wild shot had chopped out a large lock of his hair, they went to Hersey's door and so on to the stable. "Garnet's the man to pity, Mr. Fair. I couldn't say it befo' March, who's got family reasons--through his motheh--faw savin' Garnet whateveh he can of his splendid reputaation, but I'm mighty 'fraid they won't be a rag of it left, seh, big enough for a gun-wad! Mr. Fair, you've got a hahd drive befo' you, seh, an' if you'll allow me to suggest it, seh, I think it would be only wise, befo' you staht, faw us to take a drink, seh." "Thank you," said the Northerner, "I hardly think--Do you suppose Major Garnet's firing those last two shots after----" "Will ruin him? O Lawd, not that! We all know, and always have, that he's perfectly cra-azy when he's enra-aged. No, my deah seh, Miz Proudfit has confessed! She says----" "Are you not surprised that Major Garnet was armed?" Fair interrupted. "O! no, seh, Colonel Proudfit was too much of a gentleman to be lookin' faw a man, with a gun, an' not send him word! And, besides, Miz Proudfit's revela-a-tions----" But the horse and buggy were ready, and at last March--to whom, as he stood at his window fully dressed, the few moments had seemed an hour--saw Fair drive swiftly by and fade into the gloom. Charlie Champion came toward the hotel, bringing Parson Tombs. March put on his hat, but for many minutes only paced the darkening room. Finally he started for the stairs, and half way down them met the Doctor. "Why, bless my soul, John," he good-naturedly cried, "this is quite _too_ fast." "I reckon not, Doctor; I believe I'm well. I don't understand it, but it's so." He endured the Doctor's hand for a moment on his wrist and temples. "Why, I declare!" laughed the physician with noisy pleasure, "I believe yo' right!" As they descended he explained how such recoveries are possible and why they are so rare, citing from medical annals a case or two whose mention John thought very unflattering. "I should like to know what's become of Johanna," said March at the foot of the stairs. "Johanna? O they say she ran all the way to Fannie Ravenel's, and they harnessed up the fast colt and put off for Rosemont, Johanna driving!" "Why, of course! I might have known it! But"--John stopped--"Why, then, where's Fair?" "O I saw him. He drove on to overtake 'em. He'll have a job of it!" "Firefly can do it," said March, picturing the chase to himself. "But I--I wonder what--This is no time--Why--why, what did he want to do it for?" "O he may have had the best of reasons," said the amiable Doctor, and departed. Outside a certain door--"Why, John March!" murmured Tom Hersey. The voices of Garnet and Parson Tombs could be heard within. They ceased as the landlord modestly rattled the knob, and when he gave the visitor's name Garnet's voice said: