estions at once, and to
the point. We are in no mood for trifling. Where's your father?"

"Somewhere about the house, I believe," Frank replied, in an humble
tone. He was no little scared at the summary manner with which he had
been treated.

"How long since you saw him?"

"Not long ago."

"Ten minutes."

"No; nearly half an hour."

"Where was he then?"

"He was going up-stairs."

"Very well, we want him. See him, and tell him so."

Frank went into the house, but came back into the bar-room after an
absence of nearly five minutes, and said that he could not find his
father anywhere.

"Where is he then?" was angrily demanded.

"Indeed, gentlemen, I don't know." Frank's anxious look and frightened
manner showed that he spoke truly.

"There's something wrong about this--something wrong--wrong," said one
of the men. "Why should he be absent now? Why has he taken no steps to
secure the man who committed a murder in his own house, and before his
own eyes?

"I shouldn't wonder if he aided him to escape," said another, making
this serious charge with a restlessness and want of evidence that
illustrated the reckless and unjust spirit by which the mob is ever
governed.

"No doubt of it in the least!" was the quick and positive response. And
at once this erroneous conviction seized upon every one. Not a single
fact was presented. The simple, bold assertion, that no doubt existed
in the mind of one man as to Slade's having aided Green to escape, was
sufficient for the unreflecting mob.

"Where is he? Where is he? Let us find him. He knows where Green is,
and he shall reveal the secret."

This was enough. The passions of the crowd were at fever heat again.
Two or three men were chosen to search the house and premises, while
others dispersed to take a wider range. One of the men who volunteered
to go over the house was a person named Lyon, with whom I had formed
some acquaintance, and several times conversed with on the state of
affairs in Cedarville. He still remained too good a customer at the
bar. I left the bar at the same time that he did, and went up to my
room. We walked side by side, and parted at my door, I going in, and he
continuing on to make his searches. I felt, of course, anxious and much
excited, as well in consequence of the events of the day, as the
present aspect of things. My head was aching violently, and in the hope
of getting relief, I laid myself down. I had already lighted a candle,
an