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 "Amandy?"

"She's my niece," said George.

"But why's she locked up, and what has she to do with the sick man?"

"My brother is goin' to hev thet explained or perish," replied George.

The minister shook his head.

"Somehow I don't quite understand," he said. "Is the girl ill?"

"Cryin' fit to bust!"

"About the dying man?"

"She don't know he's dyin', and he ain't ezackly dyin', but only like to die," said George in confusion. "My brother's fetchin' him along."

"Fetching him along! In a wagon?"

"I reckon he'll ride," said George, "and with Bill behind him he'll ride fast."

"Humph," said the minister. He pulled up.

"Kem along, sir," said George.

"Not before I understand," said Brandram firmly. "You say the man's not exactly dying but likely to die, and that he'll ride fast with your brother—if I apprehend you rightly,