Turning to enter the house, Mr. Baron encountered his niece, who had been a witness to the scene, which explained everything to her.  “You see, you see,” cried the old man, “everything going to rack and ruin!  Would to Heaven you could be married to-night and sent away to a place of safety!”

“Uncle,” said the girl, almost fiercely, “did you not hear that man say of my cousin, ‘curse his red-hot blood’?  Is that the kind of a protector you would force upon me?”

“Yes,” almost shouted the angry man, “because he has the spirit to deal justly with such reprobates.  He’s just the kind of protector you need in these lurid times, when it seems as if no one could be trusted.  To think that that boy Chunk, who has been treated so well, could play us such an infernal trick!  His old crone of a grandam must know something about it, and I’ll make her tell.  Perkins!” and Mr. Baron rushed toward the door again.

The ladies had now descended and joined the excited group on the veranda.  Zany was listening with craned neck from the dining-room door, and other “yard folks,” great and small, were gathering also.

“What is the matter?” cried Mrs. Baron.

Paying no heed to her, Mr. Baron said to his overseer, “Aun’ Jinkey must know about this rascally flight and theft.  Bring her here.”

“Uncle,” said Miss Lou, firmly, “Aun’ Jinkey doesn’t know anything about Chunk’s disappearance.  I’ve been to her cabin and asked her.”

“As if the cunning old witch would tell you anything!  Bring her here, I say, Perkins.  It’s time the spirit of insubordination on this place received a wholesome check.”

“Why!” exclaimed Mrs. Baron, “it seems but a little while ago that Chunk was working quietly in the garden.”

“En I reckon hit ain’t much more’n two hours gone sence I seed ’im comin’ out o’ the cabin, lazin’ and eatin’ hoe-cake,” added Perkins as he started angrily to obey his orders.

“He had mischief in his mind, though, now I think of it.” resumed Mrs. Baron, “for he seemed startled when he saw me, and tried to edge away to the cabin.  I thought he was afraid I would catch his granny smoking instead of doing urgent work.  Louise, you were in the cabin at the time.  Why should Chunk be so anxious to get there before I did?”

“I have not spoken to him this afternoon, and know nothing of his movements except what I have heard,” replied the girl, coldly.

“Oh, dear!” exclaimed Mrs. Whately, “what troublous times we’ve fallen upon!”

In the silence which followed they heard the gallop of a horse.  A moment later a negro came running up and exclaiming, “Dat sojer in de stable des saddle he hoss en put out ez ef de debil wuz arter ’im!”

Miss Lou smiled bitterly as she thought, “He evidently doesn’t think it wise to wait for my protector.”

At this moment Mad Whately appeared cantering smartly up the avenue at the head of his men.  Throwing his reins to a colored boy, he strode smilingly up the steps, exclaiming, “Why, this is a regular committee of reception.  I am doubled honored since my fair cousin is present also.”