The man's bluster gave me my clew. The thought suddenly occurred to me
that, for some reason, he was more afraid of me than I of him. And if
I met him on the same ground he was of the disposition to give way
first.

"You can see my authority, Coombs, any time you are ready to exhibit
your own," I returned coolly, leaning back against the side of the
cabin, and staring him straight in the eyes. "I 've got more occasion
to question you, you big brute, than you have me. Who is going to
prevent my walking about these grounds? You? Just try the experiment,
and see how it comes out. If you are the overseer here, then it is my
money that is paying your wages, and from the look of things," and I
swept my hand toward the surrounding weeds, "you 'll not hold the job
long at that."

Coombs did not cringe, but my tone brought him uneasiness.

"The niggers won't work," he returned gruffly. "Thar ain't a nigger on
the place."

"Apparently white men enough hanging around. What 's the matter with
the negroes?"

"Ghosts," and the fellow laughed. "Maybe yer've seen sum?"

I straightened up, stung by the sneer in his voice.

"No; but I 've seen something more to the point--a murdered man."