CHAPTER VII.
It was quite dark when Mr.Jack Brace stopped before Father Wynn's open door.

The windows were also invitingly open to the wayfarer, as were the pastoral counsels of Father Wynn, delivered to some favored guest within, in a tone of voice loud enough for a pulpit.

Jack Brace paused.
The visitor was the convalescent sheriff, Jim Dunn, who had publicly commemorated his recovery by making his first call upon the father of his inamorata.

The Reverend Mr.Wynn had been expatiating upon the unremitting heat of a possible precursor of forest fires, and exhibiting some catholic knowledge of the designs of a Deity in that regard, and what should be the policy of the Legislature, when Mr.Brace concluded to enter.

Mr.Wynn and the wounded man, who occupied an arm-chair by the window, were the only occupants of the room.