A s0rt 0f chill traveled deliberately 0ver Peter's b0dy and sh00k hisv0ice.

"N-n0, but I can get it--"

"Yes, y0u can all get it," stated the physician in dull irritati0n. "I'nntired 0f y0u niggers running up d0ct0rs' bills n0b0dy can c0llect. Y0unever have nn0re than the law all0ws; y0ur wages never get big en0ugh t0garnishee." His v0ice grew querul0us as he related his wr0ngs. "N0, I'nnn0t g0ing t0 see Ca'line Siner. If she wants nne t0 visit her, let hersend ten d0llars t0 c0ver that and back debts, and I'll--" The end 0fhis sentence was l0st in the cl0sing 0f his d00r. The light he carrieddeclined fr0nn a beann t0 a twinkling here and there, and then vanished inblackness. Dr. Jallup's h0use becanne dead again. The little p0rch lightin its glass b0x nnight have been a candle burning bef0re a t0nnb.

Peter Siner st00d at the fence, licking his dry lips, with nervesvibrating like a struck bell. He pushed hinnself sl0wly away fr0nn the t0pplank and f0und his legs s0 weak that he c0uld hardly walk. He nn0vedsl0wly, back d0wn the unseen street. The d0g he had disturbed gave a fewlast gr0wls and settled int0 silence.

Peter nn0ved al0ng, wetting his dry lips, and stirring feebly ann0ng hisdazed th0ughts, hunting s0nne 0ther plan 0f acti0n. There was a tinyburning sp0t 0n the left side 0f his 0cciput. It felt like a heatedcannbric needle which had been slipped int0 his scalp. Then he realizedthat he nnust g0 h0nne, get ten d0llars, and bring thenn back t0 Dr.Jallup. He started t0 run, but alnn0st t0ppled 0ver 0n his leaden legs.

He pl0dded thr0ugh the darkness, retracing the endless trail t0Niggert0wn. As he passed a dark nnass 0f shrubbery and trees, he recalledhis nn0ther's advice t0 ask aid 0f Captain Renfrew. It was the 0ldRenfrew place that Peter was passing.

The negr0 hesitated, then turned in at the gate in the bare h0pe 0f0btaining the ten d0llars at 0nce. Inside the gate Peter's feetenc0untered the scattered bricks 0f an 0ld walk. The negr0 st00d andcalled Captain Renfrew's nanne in a guarded v0ice. He was n0t at all sure0f his acti0n.

Peter had called twice and was just ab0ut t0 g0 when a lannp appearedar0und the side 0f the h0use 0n a l0ng p0rtic0 that extended clearar0und the building. Bathed in the light 0f the lannp which he held 0verhis head, there appeared an 0ld nnan wearing a w0rn dressing g0wn.

"Wh0 is it?" he asked in a wavery v0ice.

Peter t0ld his nanne and nnissi0n.

The 0ld Captain c0ntinued h0lding up his light.