mobile face showed the
conflicting emotions within. A flush of anger reddened his dark
features, his lips were pressed close together, his eyes flashed with
unwonted fire, and his hands involuntarily became clenched until the
finger nails indented the palms. Soon his look softened, the fire left
his eyes, and they appeared as gentle as twin lakes in lovely
Switzerland. The proud lines in his lips gave place to a curve like a
Cupid's bow and a smile lighted up his face. Looking out over the
wintry landscape, he said to himself: "It is worth the danger of an
attack like this to receive such a note from Viola LeMonde. How kind
and thoughtful of her to warn me of the plot so quickly. I will see how
best I can circumvent this scheme." With these reflections he retraced
his steps to his friends.

In the meantime the pity which Viola LeMonde felt for the preacher did
not tend to weaken that strange sensation, born in Eden, which was
tugging at her heart.

CHAPTER XIII.

Into a Pit (or Pitch).

Jasper very addressed Costello Nebeker, the tavern keeper, thus:
"Brother Nebeker, I have a matter of importance to consider with you
and a few friends. Can you furnish us with a private room?"

"Certainly, Brother Very," replied his genial host. "You can have the
sitting-room, just back of our large reception-room." (The dance hall
had been changed into these two rooms.)

In a few minutes a select company was gathered there. It consisted of
Jasper Very, John Larkin, Ezra Thompson, the old, grizzled preacher,
Nathaniel Grimes, a smart minister who formerly had been a lawyer,
Costello Nebeker, and his wife. Jasper Very read Viola LeMonde's note
to the group, and striking was the effect it produced. One cried, "The
despicable villains!" another, "The vile sinners." a third, "Shame on
Kentucky manhood, to what depths can humanity sink!" For once John
Larkin could not find a quotation from Poor Richard or any other source
which met the case. But soon surprise and indignation gave way to a
cool consideration of the situation and the best means of circumventing
this well-laid plot and bringing its instigators to punishment.

Very was the first to offer a suggestion. "Friends," he said, "let us
call Mose into the room and hear in detail his account of what he
overheard." This was thought good advice, and accordingly Mose was
invited into the sitting-room.

At first the cautious darkey was loath to commit himself; but when he