“Perhaps you think we have not yet discovered who murdered Mark Abrams; but, sir, we have.”

“Who was it?” indignantly inquired Emile.

“It was-Emile-Le-Grande,” she replied slowly, her fierce eye marking every emotion of his face.

“Great Heavens.  What an atrocity!”

“Deny it if you dare, I have the proof.”

“Prove it, if you can.  I dare you to prove it.  But I must leave this place.  Such nonsense shall not detain me longer.  I know that you are mad.-Captain, release me.  Do not heed the ravings of that woman any longer.”

“I am pledged, sir, on the accusation of this woman, to convey you safely back to the State, and back you must go.  I can allow you no opportunity to escape.”

“I must see my wife first.  I cannot go without it.”

“The vessel is ready to start.  It will be impossible for you to see her.  If you are quiet and obedient, you shall not be manacled; if you resist, we shall stow you away in security.  Be wise now, and be silent.”

“But my wife—­”

“In an hour the Tigress will be out of port, sir, and you cannot see her.”

“Alas! alas!” groaned Emile.  “In Heaven’s name, why has this evil befallen me?” and quickly sinking down upon a cabin stool, he said, “Keep me from the presence of this wretched lunatic, captain, if I must go.  Yes, if I must be stolen in this cowardly way, from a peaceful home, and taken from a loving wife and innocent, helpless child, I can but submit; but keep that wretched woman out of my presence, I implore you.”

“My friend, you may stay in here,” replied the relentless captain, “till we are out of port;” and opening the door of a small room that contained only a port-hole of a window, he locked Emile in, and then busied himself with preparations for a speedy departure.  Once shut in, Emile drew from his pocket a slip of paper, and addressed a line to Gardner & Company, urging his friend to go for his wife, and come to him at once.  From his diminutive window he spied a slave near by, and quickly summoning him, said, “Here’s my watch, boy; take this note quick to Gardner & Company, and my watch shall be yours.”  Then he threw the slip of paper out of the window.  Distressed and dismayed, he sank down again, nervous and miserable, for fear the Tigress would depart before his wife and Mr. Gardner should arrive.

Receiving Emile’s mysterious note, Mr. Gardner went with all possible speed to the young man’s home, and informed Leah of what had transpired.  “I do not understand this note,” he said; “there is certainly a mystery about this summons.  The man who came for Le Grande had a strange, mean-looking face; but we must hasten.”

Leah, so long accustomed to sorrow, evinced no unusual emotion at these apprehensive words of Mr. Gardner; but calmly asked: 

“Do you suppose any harm has come to my husband?”

“I cannot say, madam; I trust not.”