"Yo' certainly kin drive, Mister Rodgers," he said, breaking the long silence. "I guess yo' can beat Major Wallace handlin' a cyar." "Thanks for the compliment, Oscar," Rodgers laughed. "Major Wallace has a reputation as a speedster." "Yessir," but Oscar looked a trifle bewildered, long words were not his strong point. "Major Wallace done taught Miss Kitty ter drive." "Oh, has he?" "Yessir." Oscar was oblivious of Rodgers' shortness of tone. "Dat's one o' the things Ole Miss cut up ructions 'bout. She did hate dat Major, an' she jes' laid Miss Kitty out fo' goin' wid him." "Oh, come, Oscar, Miss Susan did not hate Major Wallace," objected Rodgers. "She did, Sah, she did." Oscar's smile had disappeared and he spoke quickly. "An' she suttenly did 'spress her mind to Miss Kitty on Sunday." Rodgers turned and scanned Oscar closely. The old darky looked the picture of honest respectability. His worn clothes were neatly brushed and patched. He sat with his battered hat cocked a trifle over one eye and his black face shone with the enjoyment of the unexpected treat of a ride in a fast roadster with "one of the quality" as he termed Ted Rodgers in his own mind. "Why did you tell Coroner Penfield that Miss Susan and her niece quarreled on Sunday?" Rodgers asked. The old man blinked at the unexpected question. "'Cause he axed me, an' they did quarrel." Oscar's voice betrayed a strain of obstinacy. "'Tain't no harm tellin' de truf, is there, Mister Rodgers?" "No, certainly not." Rodgers slowed down at a street crossing and in shifting gears failed to catch the sudden crafty look Oscar shot at him. It vanished in a second. "How is Miss Kitty this morning?" "Tol'able well, thank yo'," Oscar replied. "Dr. McLean was over las' night an' he tole Mandy that he wanted Miss Kitty to leave town fo' a month; seemed to think she needed change. But Miss Kitty, she said 'no.'" "Then she is not going away." Rodgers' satisfaction was unconcealed. "Is she at home, Oscar?" as he slowed up the car before the entrance to "Rose Hill." Oscar shook his head. "No, Sah, she done gone fo' de day," he said, opening the door and clambering with some difficulty to the pavement. "Miss Kitty said somethin' 'bout seein' Mrs. Parsons. She done call her up dis mawnin'." "I thought Miss Kitty had resigned from her secretary work." Rodgers let his engine run and leaned over to speak to Oscar. "Has Mrs. Parsons been here?" "No, Sah, not since Miss Susan's death." Oscar hesitated, looked up and down the empty street, then back over his shoulder. No one was within earshot. The old man took his hand from the car door and rested his weight on his cane. "I kinda 'spects they had a fight." "They--?" Rodgers eyed him in deep surprise. "Miss Kitty and Mrs. Parsons?" "No, Sah. Mrs. Parsons an' ole Miss Susan. Good mawnin', Sah," and Oscar stamped up the steps leading to "Rose Hill," deaf to Rodgers' repeated calls to return. CHAPTER XI I. O. U.