rders have been issued for the civil authorities to interfere with
your plans?"

Blennerhassett opened his eyes wide, with a stupefied stare.

"Then you are not one of us? I was told that you were a leader in the
New Orleans Association for the invasion of Mexico. The printer of the
_Gazette d'Orleans_ informed me that three hundred men had joined the
company."

"There is not a word of truth in the report. I am an officer of the
Government, but I have no desire to molest misguided people. My motive
in coming through this snowstorm to you to-day is friendly. I want to
save your family and you from disaster. I hope to dissuade you from
your present purpose. You are misinformed--deluded."

The lord of the isle plucked up spirit and replied haughtily:

"I thank you for your good intentions toward me and my family, though
your coming is inopportune, not to say impertinent. We know our own
affairs. Colonel Burr and myself are, I conceive, sufficiently
experienced in business, and well enough informed in law, to know what
we are about. The interference of local officials I shall resent, and
if necessary, prosecute. As for yourself, you have not shown your
credentials. I trust you will have the honor not to magnify or distort
any information I may have inadvertently exposed to your scrutiny. I
wish you farewell. Shall I send one of my servants to conduct you to
the wharf?"

The official, who was really sincere in all that he had said, left the
house and the premises in rather bad temper, yet he cherished no
resentment on account of the rebuff.

No sooner was Graham gone than Blennerhassett's courage collapsed. He
flung himself into a big chair, and yielded to the pressure of
despondency. His wife came into the study and discovered him with his
head bowed upon his hands.

"Husband, what ails you?"

"Oh, Maggie, Maggie--we have been deceived. I fear Colonel Burr has
not told me all he should have told. We must go no farther in this
enterprise." He went on to tell what had passed between himself and
Graham, and ended his lament by saying: "I am worried to death! Half
my fortune is already squandered! We must think of the boys; we must
stop further expenditure, before we have lost all."

The wife stood erect, unshaken, firm almost to rigidity. A white heat
of resolute energy burnt in every capillary of her nerved body.

"Give up nothing! Carry out the original plans decided upon here in
this library. We expected diffi