th is, the South has paid its share in
blood and risk and money, but it didn't get its share when it came
to the divide; and it never has."

"Precisely, my dear Captain. I delight to see you so broad-minded
and fair. This plan of mine, to have any success, must be carried
out on lines broad-minded and fair."

"But how adjust pocket interests on both sides? You'll see.
You'll be left alone. It is easier to make a speech for liberty
than it is to put the price of one slave in the hat passed for
liberty. New England, all the North, will talk, will hold mass
meetings, will pass resolutions commending resistance to the
law--like this Christianville incident of which there's news this
morning. You'll see the blacks commended for that. But you won't
see much money raised to keep other blacks from being followed by
their owners."

"Then leave it for those who see duty in more concrete form. Leave
the cost to me. My only answer is--Lily."

And again and again her only answer to them both was--Lily. She
told them her story, produced the girl herself and made her confirm
it, offered her as concrete example to be presented in a platform
campaign which might not end in talk alone--pleaded, argued, and
won.

"Madam, I, too, kiss your hands," said Carlisle at last; and did so.

An hour after that, she had laid out a campaign for her two agents,
and had arranged for the expenditure of an initial hundred thousand
dollars.

CHAPTER XXV

THE ARTFUL GENTLEMAN PROM KENTUCKY

It was dusk. Heavy shadows lay over the trees which lined the
curving walks leading across a little park to the stately white
house beyond. From that direction now appeared several gentlemen,
advancing in scattering groups. They might almost have been made
up of conspirators, so intent they seemed, so apprehensive lest
even their thoughts might be read. Two of them drew apart,--one of
these a slender bony man, the other a tall and dark man. The
latter spoke almost moodily.

"I doubt your ability, my dear sir, to influence so shrewd a man in
any such way as you suggest. Besides, he is not of our party."

"That's all the better. A man of our party might, could, would and
should keep his mouth shut about such a ticklish matter; but
outside our party, any who begins it has got to keep his mouth
shut!"

"There is no other way," he added, smiling. "It must be done. The
Countess St. Auban is here again! This band of Gipsy heathens fr