Leaving him at the hospital, with brief explanations, Merwyn was about to hasten away, when the surgeon remarked, “The man is dead, apparently.”

“I can’t help it,” cried Merwyn.  “I’ll bring his wife as soon as possible.  Of course you will do all in your power;” and he started away on a run.

A few moments later Barney Ghegan was taken to the dead-house.

CHAPTER XLIII.

The “Coward.”

Merwyn now felt that he had carried out the first part of his plan.  He had looked into the murderous eyes of the mob, and learned its spirit and purpose.  Already he reproached himself for leaving Marian alone so long, especially as columns of smoke were rising throughout the northern part of the city.  It seemed an age since he had seen that first cloud of the storm, as he emerged from the park after his quiet ride, but it was not yet noon.

As he sped through the streets, running where he dared, and fortunately having enough of the general aspect of a rioter to be unmolested, he noticed a new feature in the outbreak, one that soon became a chief characteristic,—­the hatred of negroes and the sanguinary pursuit of them everywhere.

“Another danger for the Vosburghs,” he groaned.  “They have a colored servant, who must be spirited off somewhere instantly.”

Avoiding crowds, he soon reached the quiet side-street on which Marian lived, and was overjoyed to find it almost deserted.  Mammy Borden herself answered his impatient ring, and was about to shut the door on so disreputable a person as he now appeared to be, when he shouldered it open, turned, locked and chained it with haste.

“What do you mean, sir? and who are you?” Marian demanded, running from the parlor on hearing the expostulations of her servant.

“Have patience, Miss Vosburgh.”

“Oh, it is you, Mr. Merwyn.  Indeed I have need of patience.  An hour ago papa sent a message from down town, saying:  ’Don’t leave the house to-day.  Serious trouble on foot.’  Since then not a word, only wild-looking people running through the street, the ringing of fire-bells, and the sounds of some kind of disturbance.  What does it all mean? and why do you bar and bolt everything so timidly?” and the excited girl poured out her words in a torrent.

Merwyn’s first words were exasperating, and the girl had already passed almost beyond self-control.  “Has any one seen your colored servant to-day?”

“What if they have?  What does your unseemly guise mean?  Oh that my brave friends were here to go out and meet the rabble like soldiers!  There’s an outbreak, of course; we’ve been expecting it; but certainly men should not fear the canaille of the slums.  It gives me a sickening impression, Mr. Merwyn, to see you rush in, almost force your way in, and disguised too, as if you sought safety by identifying yourself with those who would quail before a brave, armed man.  Pardon me if I’m severe, but I feel that my father is in danger, and if I don’t hear from him soon I shall take Mammy Borden as escort and go to his office.  Whoever is abroad, they won’t molest women, and I’m not afraid.”