The Day of the Dog | Page 6

spite of your present occupation, I believe you are Crosby," said
Mrs. Delancy merrily.

"But, good gracious, I can't talk business with you from this
confounded beam," he cried lugubriously.
"Mr. Austin will call the dog away," she said confidently, turning to the
man in the door. Austin's sallow face lighted with a sudden malicious
grin, and there was positive joy in his voice.
"You may be satisfied, but I am not. If you desire to transact business
with this impertinent stranger, Mrs. Delancy, you'll have to do so under
existing conditions. I do not approve of him or his methods, and my
dog doesn't either. You can trust a dog for knowing a man for what he
is. Mrs. Austin and I are going to the house. You may remain, of course;
I have no right to command you to follow. When you are ready to drive
to the station, please come to the house. I'll be ready. Your Mr. Crosby
may leave when he likes--IF HE CAN. Come, Elizabeth." With this
defiant thrust, Mr. Austin stalked from the barn, followed by his wife.
Mrs. Delancy started to follow but checked herself immediately, a flush
of anger mounting to her brow. After a long pause she spoke.
"I don't understand how you came to be where you are, Mr. Crosby,"
she said slowly. He related his experiences rapidly and laughed with
her simply because she had a way with her.
"You'll pardon me for laughing," she giggled.
"With all my heart," he replied gallantly. "It must be very funny.
However, this is not business. You are in a hurry to get away from here
and--I'm not, it seems. Briefly, Mrs. Delancy, I have the papers you are
to sign before we begin your action against the Fairwater estate. You
know what they are through Mr. Rolfe."
"Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Crosby, to say to you that I have decided to
abandon the matter. A satisfactory compromise is under way."
"So I've been told. But are you sure you understand yourself?"
"Perfectly, thank you."

"This is a very unsatisfactory place from which to argue my case, Mrs.
Delancy. Can't you dispose of the dog?"
"Only God disposes."
"Well, do you mind telling me what the compromise provides?" She
stared at him for a moment haughtily, but his smile won the point for
him. She told him everything and then looked very much displeased
when he swore distinctly.
"Pardon me, but you are getting very much the worst of it in this deal.
It is the most contemptible scheme to rob that I ever heard of. By this
arrangement you are to get farming lands and building lots in rural
towns worth in all about $100,000, I'd say. Don't you know that you are
entitled to nearly half a million?"
"Oh, dear, no. By right, my share is less than $75,000," she cried
triumphantly.
"Who told you so?" he demanded, and she saw a very heavy frown on
his erstwhile merry face.
"Why--why, Mr. Austin and another brother-in-law, Mr. Gray, both of
whom are very kind to me in the matter, I'm sure."
"Mrs. Delancy, you are being robbed by these fellows. Can't you see
that these brothers-in-law and their wives will profit immensely if they
succeed in keeping the wool over your eyes long enough? Let ME
show you some figures." He excitedly drew a packet of papers from his
pocket and in five minutes' time had her gasping with the knowledge
that she was legally entitled to more than half a million of dollars.
"Are you sure?" she cried, unable to believe her ears.
"Absolutely. Here is the inventory and here are the figures to
corroborate everything I say."
"But THEY had figures, too," she cried in perplexity.

"Certainly. Figures are wonderful things. I only ask you to defer this
plan to compromise until we are able to thoroughly convince you that I
am not misrepresenting the facts to you."
"Oh, if I could only believe you!"
"I'd toss the documents down to you if I were not afraid they'd join my
card. That is a terribly ravenous beast. Surely you can coax him out of
the barn," he added eagerly.
"I can try, but persuasion is difficult with a bulldog, you know," she
said doubtfully. "It is much easier to persuade a man," she smiled.
"I trust you won't try to persuade me to come down," he said in alarm.
"Mr. Austin is a brute to treat you in this manner," she cried
indignantly.
"I wouldn't treat a dog as he is treating me."
"Oh, I am sure you couldn't," she cried in perfect sincerity. "Swallow
doesn't like me, but I'll try to get him away. You can't stay up there all
night."
"By Jove!" he exclaimed sharply.
"What is it?"