The banker snorted, but calmed himself. "You a protector--a mediator! Sir, you continue to insult me." "He ought to be kicked out of his own office," Sawyer swore. "Yes, but it would take a mule, rather than a mule driver. But I don't want anything more to say to you. I know your history; you wouldn't hesitate to shoot a man in the back, but when it comes to a face to face fight, you are a coward. Shut up. Not a word out of you. Mr. McElwin, I sympathize with your wife and your daughter, but I am not at all sorry for you. Good morning." The angry visitors strode out, with many a gesture of unspeakable anger. "Well," said Warren, "that beats anything I ever saw. How did you learn so much about his family affairs? Who told you?" "You told me Sawyer's history, and I made a bold guess at the rest." "And you nailed him. Well, I'll swear if it ain't a jubilee. But there's no news in it for me." "There may be some day," Lyman replied. CHAPTER IX. AT CHURCH. On the following Sunday, which in fact was the day after the scene in the office, Lyman went to church. There were several churches in Old Ebenezer, but he chose the one which was the religious affiliation of the banker's family. A number of clean looking young fellows stood outside to gaze at the girls going in, and they nudged one another and giggled as they saw Lyman approaching. He pretended not to notice them, going straightway into the church. Most of the pews were free, and he sat down about the middle of the house and began carefully to look about over the congregation. A strange feeling possessed him, and he looked back with a thrill when he heard the rustle of skirts in the doorway. At last he saw her and he thought that Zeb Sawyer came with her to the door. The banker and his stately wife came in, but Lyman had no eye for them. He sat almost in a trance, gazing at the young woman as she walked slowly down the opposite aisle. She reminded him of a peach tree blooming in the early spring, there was so much pink and the rich color of cream about her. She sat down not far from him and he gazed at the silk-brown hair on the back of her neck. Once she looked around but her eye did not rest on him. She sang with the congregation, and he selected a sweet tone for her voice, and smiled afterward to discover that it was in the voice of a plain woman seated near her. Some one sat down beside him, and he was surprised to find Caruthers. The lawyer was surprised too, and he made a motion as if to move away. "Never mind," whispered Lyman, "stay where you are." "Thank you," Caruthers whispered in turn. "I didn't know but that fog was still between us." "It is, and that's the reason we didn't recognize each other sooner." "Then I'd better move." "It is not necessary. I can stand it if you can." "All right. Deuce of an affair you've got into." "Yes, rather out of the ordinary." "Has the old man offered you money to turn loose?" "He offered to lend me a small sum."