“Yes.”

“Then, can’t you git your own path-master to do his dooty an’ execoote the statoots?”

“You see,” stammered Byram, “I app’inted a—a lady.”

“A what!” cried the game-warden.

“A lady,” repeated Byram, firmly. “Tell the truth, we ’ain’t got no path-master; we’ve got a path-mistress—Elton’s kid, you know—”

“Elton?”

“Yes.”

“What hung hisself in his orchard?”

“Yes.”

“His kid? The girl that folks say is sweet on Dan McCloud?”