Poor Mrs. Whately was compelled to rate these vaporings at their true worth, seeing that between wine, anger and long-indulged arrogance, he was in a melodramatic mood and beyond reason:  so she only said soothingly, “Please never let Louise know that I was aware of Scoville’s captivity.  After you have rested and have had time to think you will see things differently.  I warn you however against Perkins,” she added solemnly.  “If you identify yourself with him in any way you may involve yourself and all of us in ruin.  Now come, I will make a bed for you at the end of the hall near my room, and you had better sleep while you can.”

He readily acquiesced, for even his lurid schemes for the future could keep him awake no longer.  In a few moments he was sleeping soundly on a mattress, wrapped in a blanket.  His uniform was hung on the back of a chair near him to dry.

CHAPTER XXIII

A BOLD SCHEME

Aun’ Jinkey gained Miss Lou’s room in safety, but panting so from fright and exhaustion as to be for a few moments utterly incapable of speech.  The girl divined that something serious was to be told.  To her questioning look, the old mammy nodded, glancing meantime at Zany as much as to say, “We should be alone.”  This quick-witted negress, consumed with curiosity about Chunk, and some deeper interest, resolved not to be sent away.

“Why you look dat away at Miss Lou, Aun’ Jinkey?” Zany asked indignantly.  “Time you knowed dat Miss Lou trus’ me en I ain’ doin’ not’n ter loss dat trus’.  She know bettah’n you dat ef dars eny ting ter be done I de one ter he’p.”

“We can trust Zany,” whispered Miss Lou, who had become very pale.  “You have some news about Lieutenant Scoville?”

“Well, on’y dis, honey, Chunk lookin’ fer ’im.  Marse Scoville didn’t come back fum dat las’ fight, he say, en he say ter me dat ef he toot twiced lak a squinch-owl dat mean I go ter you, fer he need yo’ he’p.  He des done tooted,” and Aun’ Jinkey repeated all of her grandson’s words as far as she could remember them.

Miss Lou thought a few moments and her face grew very resolute.  “Aun’ Jinkey,” she said, “tell Chunk I will do as he wishes, but he must act carefully and not too hastily.  Cousin Mad is already asleep.  One after another will follow his example, and fewer will be around by and by.  We must take no risks that can be helped.  The fact that he wishes to see me in this secret way is pretty good proof that the lieutenant is a prisoner.  If he were wounded or—­or—­” but a rush of tears suggested the word she could not utter.  “You had better go now, and let no one frighten you into telling anything.  Appeal to me if threatened.”

As the old woman was stealing out she met Mrs. Baron, who asked sharply, “What do you want?”

“Does you tink I doan wanter know dat chile is safe?”

“If you wish to be safe yourself, see to it you have nothing more to do with that grandson of yours.  He has sinned away his day of grace, and no mercy will be shown to those who have anything more to do with him.”