“I’ll try to be content,” said Archie, sighing, and they parted in peace.
But just about this time came an experience which, for the time being, put all else out of Agnes’s head. It was Dr. Flint who brought word that matters were about to culminate in the affair with Hump Muirhead.
Agnes had seldom seen the doctor since the day of their search for Parker, and she was surprised at his making his appearance one morning, finding her housing a hen with a late brood of chickens.
“Ah, Miss Agnes, good morning,” he said as he doffed his cap. “You are the very lady I wished to see.”
Agnes put the last chirping, fluffy ball of a chick under its mother’s wings, and arose to her feet. “I am glad to see you, Dr. Flint. You seldom come around this way.”
“No, my place is so far away from this, you know. I thought, however, that I’d like to be the first to bring you the news that we’re likely to be rid of Humphrey Muirhead by this time to-morrow.”
“Why, what do you mean? Has he decided that, after all, it’s best to go peaceably?”
“Not a bit of it. The boys are going to help him get away, and he’ll not have to walk either.”
Agnes began to understand. “They will not do anything cruel, I hope.”
“Well, I have heard that riding on a rail is not the most comfortable way to travel.”