President Linkum, 'cause we thought
that was the saftest place, but I knowed the house would be sarched, so
I jest hid it in a better place. Since he ain't showed no more backbone
than a saucer of blue-mange, I shall have to give it up; but if I had
found it, you would never set your two eyes on it, while my head is
warm."

She stooped, lifted the wide hem of her black calico skirt, and
proceeded to pick out the stitches which held it securely. When she had
ripped the thread about a quarter of a yard, she raised the edge of the
unusually deep hem, and drew out a white handkerchief with a colored
border.

Bedney snatched it from her, and handed it to the Solicitor, who leaned
close to the fire, and carefully examined it. As he held it up by the
corners, his face became very grave and stern, and he sighed.

"This is evidently a lady's handkerchief, and is so important in the
case, that I shall keep it until the trial is over. Bedney, come to my
office by nine o'clock to-morrow, as the Grand Jury may ask you some
questions. Good bye, Dyce, shake hands; for I honor your loyalty to
your poor young mistress, and her unfortunate child. You remind me of
my own old mammy. Dear good soul, she was as true as steel."

As Mr. Churchill left the house, Bedney accompanied him to the gate.
When he returned, the door was locked. In vain he demanded admittance;
in vain tried the windows; every entrance was securely barred, and
though he heard Dyce moving about within, she deigned no answer to his
earnest pleadings, his vehement expostulations, or his fierce threats
of summary vengeance. The remainder of that night was spent by Pilot
and his irate master in the great hay bin of the "Elm Bluff" stables.
When the sun rose next morning, Bedney rushed wrathful as Achilles, to
resent his wrongs. The door of his house stood open; a fire glowed on
the well swept hearth, where a pot of boiling coffee and a plate of
biscuit welcomed him; but Dyce was nowhere visible, and a vigorous
search soon convinced him she had left home on some pressing errand.

Two hours later, Mrs. Singleton opened the door of the small room
adjoining her own bedchamber, to which she had insisted upon removing
the prisoner.

Beryl stood leaning against the barred window, and did not even turn
her head.

"Here is a negro woman, begging to see you for a few moments. She says
she is an old family servant of General Darrington's."

Standing with her back toward the d