“Yes. If you managed to catch my speech, you’ll recall that I emphasized the legal aspects of fighting integration. Just as you’ve been doing in your paper. I certainly had no idea that—”

“That’s a lie!” Tom said, feeling the hot redness creep into his face. “You knew exactly what would happen. Cramer, I’m glad you’re here because I have some things to say to you, and I’d advise you to listen.”

“I’ll be happy to,” Adam Cramer said.

“First, I think you’re a fraud. I don’t know that for sure, but I think it. Whether you are or not is incidental right now. What is certain is that you’re a rabble-rouser, and I don’t like rabble-rousers. If you’d come to the officials of the town and presented the plans you think you have, everyone would have co-operated—because we are in trouble, and we could use help—maybe. But you didn’t do that. You weren’t about to do it.”

“Go on,” Adam Cramer said.

“Instead you got the people worked up. You played on their fears and on their hates. Then, before the fireworks went off, you sneaked away. You might as well know that I did my level best to have you thrown in jail for what you did.”

Adam Cramer was silent.

“We don’t want your type here,” Tom said, realizing suddenly that he was becoming altogether too angry. “You understand?”

“Who is ‘we,’ sir?”

“The responsible citizens of this town.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. McDaniel, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree. I feel that my ‘type’ is not only wanted, but also, needed. That was made pretty clear last night.”

Tom rose. “Get out of Caxton, Cramer,” he said. “Get out today.”

“Are you telling me?”

“I’m advising you.”

Adam Cramer smiled again. “I honestly don’t understand your attitude, Mr. McDaniel—and I don’t think I want to, either. But it doesn’t matter. It so happens that I plan to stay here until my job is finished. I’d hoped we could work together; I still do, in fact, but if we can’t, then that’s the way it is.”

“I’ll fight you,” Tom said. “Every inch of the way.”

“That’s your right.”

They stared at one another for a moment, and Tom knew precisely what his visitor was thinking. “There is one thing I can tell you,” he said. “Stay away from my daughter.”

“I should think that would be her decision,” Cramer said.

“It isn’t. If you go near her, you’ll be sorry.”

Adam Cramer smiled. “That,” he said, “would be taking the law into your own hands, wouldn’t it, Mr. McDaniel?” He paused. “I’d like to talk more with you, but I’m afraid I have work to do. You want to set up the ad?”