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head and then he chuckled again.
    "Oh, I can explain everything when he wakes up," he told me. "When he knows it's all for the best, I'm sure he'll be happy."
    "Well—I guess it's all right, then," I sighed. "But you must promise to take good care of him."
    "Sure," said Mr. Cassidy.
    "And you'll give him what he wants? What he needs?"
    "Of course."
    "And you won't tell a soul?"
    "Not a soul."
    "Of course you know what will happen to you if you refuse to give Enoch what he wants," I warned Mr. Cassidy. "He will take it—from you—by force?"
    "Don't you worry, Seth."
    I stood still for a minute. Because all at once I could feel something move towards my ear.
    "Enoch," I whispered. "Can you hear me?"
    He heard.
    Then I explained everything to him. How I was giving him to Mr. Cassidy.
    Enoch didn't say a word.
    Mr. Cassidy didn't say a word. He just sat there and grinned. I suppose it must have looked a little strange to see me talking to—nothing.
    "Go to Mr. Cassidy," I whispered. "Go to him, now."
    And Enoch went.
    I felt the weight lift from my head. That was all, but I knew he was gone.
    "Can you feel him, Mr. Cassidy?" I asked.
    "What—oh, sure!" he said, and stood up.
    "Take good care of Enoch," I told him.
    "The best."
    "Don't put your hat on," I warned. "Enoch doesn't like hats."
    "Sorry, I forgot. Well, Seth, I'll say good-bye now. You've been a mighty great help to me—and from now on we can just forget about Enoch, as far as telling anybody else is concerned.
    "I'll come back again and talk about the trial. That Doctor Silversmith, he's going to try and tell the folks you're crazy. Maybe it would be best if you just denied everything you told him—now that I have Enoch."
    That sounded like a fine idea, but then I knew Mr. Cassidy was a smart man.
    "Whatever you say, Mr. Cassidy. Just be good to Enoch, and he'll be good to you."
    Mr. Cassidy shook my hand and then he and Enoch went away. I felt tired again. Maybe it was the strain, and maybe it was just that I felt a little queer, knowing that Enoch was gone. Anyway, I went back to sleep for a long time.
    It was nighttime when I woke up. Old Charley Potter was banging on the cell door, bringing me my supper.
    He jumped when I said hello to him, and backed away.
    "Murderer!" he yelled. "They got nine bodies out'n the swamp. You crazy fiend!"
    "Why Charley," I said. "I always thought you were a friend of mine."
    "Loony! I'm gonna get out of here right now—leave you locked up for the night. Sheriff'll see that nobuddy breaks in to lynch you—if you ask me, he's wasting his time."
    Then Charley turned out all the lights and went away. I heard him go out the front door and put the padlock on, and I was all alone in the jailhouse.
    All alone! It was strange to be all alone for the first time in years—all alone, without Enoch.
    I ran my fingers across the top of my head. It felt bare and queer.
    The moon was shining through the window and I stood there looking out at the empty street. Enoch always loved the moon. It made him lively. Made him restless and greedy. I wondered how he felt now, with Mr. Cassidy.
    I must have stood there for a long time. My legs were numb when I turned around and listened to the fumbling at the door.
    The lock clicked open, and then Mr. Cassidy came running in.
    "Take him off me!" he yelled. "Take him away!"
    "What's the matter?" I asked.
    "Enoch—that thing of yours—I thought you were crazy—maybe I'm the crazy one—but take him off!"
    "Why, Mr. Cassidy! I told you what Enoch was like."
    "He's crawling around up there now. I can feel him. And I can hear him. The things he whispers!"
    "But I explained all that, Mr. Cassidy. Enoch wants something, doesn't he? You know what it is. And you'll have to give it to him. You promised."
    "I can't. I won't kill for him—he can't make me—"
    "He can. And he will."
    Mr. Cassidy gripped the bars on the cell door. "Seth, you must help me. Call Enoch. Take him back. Make him go back to you.