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CHAPTER XX

AN EAVESDROPPER

HILANDER, the head man at the stables, had been promoted to Ransome's place. He was a young negro and had not had the opportunity to acquire, either by age or experience, that politic manner which had been so marked a characteristic of the old retainer. Neither did he possess that oily, unctuous chuckle which had usually preceded Ransome's entrance and accompanied his departure from the society of his superiors.

Philander seldom laughed and rarely smiled, his countenance preserving almost uniformly a staid and sober demeanor. This was in marked contrast to his uncertain and often ungrammatical language. He had formed an unjust criterion for determining the social condition of visitors to the island, his judgment being based upon the cut and quality of their clothing. Many a heated debate had taken place at the stables between him and the boys, in which he strongly maintained that a gentleman could always be known by his clothes.

About an hour after the departure of his guests eastward, Mr. Blennerhassett sat in his library contemplating a map of Louisiana which was spread out upon the table before him. A dozen or more pins, their heads capped with red or black sealing-wax, had been stuck in different portions of the map. Mr, Blennerhassett was measuring the distance between these pins with a pair of calipers, and then ascertaining the number of miles represented by resorting to a scale which was printed at the bottom of the map.

While thus engaged, Philander entered the library. "Dar's a pusson out dar who tole me he wants ter see yo'."

"Show the gentleman in," said his master, without looking up from his work.

Philander hesitated. "He ain't no gen'leman, Massa Blennerhassett, he's only a pusson. His clo'es is ole and dirty. I reckon he is only a boatman out of a job.” "Did he give his name?" asked his master, looking

up.

"No, sah, he said he'd been here afore. He tole me yo'd know him.”

The thought immediately flashed through Blennerhassett's mind that the spy, with whom he had had an interview, had come back again-but for what purpose?

"You may show the person in," he said finally, conforming unthinkingly to Philander's phraseology. "Wait a moment," he cried, before Philander reached the door." Has Colonel Burr returned to the house?"

"No, sah; he informed me confidenshally that he were goin' to ride half way to Marietta, but he tole me he would be back ter dinnah."

The next question threw Philander off his guard: "Did Colonel Burr give you any money?"

"Yes, sah, a triful."

"How much?" asked his master, sternly.

"Well, Philander," said Mr. Blennerhassett, "if you take money again from any of my guests for services rendered them, for which services I compensate you in many ways, I shall have a talk with Marmaduke."

Yes, sah," said Philander, bowing and leaving the room hastily.

"That was foolish in me," soliloquized Blennerhassett, "he will take the money just the same in the future, but he will never own up again to having re

ceived any. How easy it is for a good man to make other men liars."

As Philander opened the door of the library to admit the new comer, the latter turned to him and said. sharply: "My colored friend, don't be too particular about showing me the way—I've been here before." When Philander had closed the door, the visitor spoke, in his natural tone of voice, to Blennerhassett: "Do you recognize me, sir?”

Blennerhassett replied: "I have a good memory, sir, but I did not know until the other day that the government of the United States used detectives in disguise to do its bidding.'

"That is because," said Graham, for it was he, "detectives seldom disclose their identity to suspected parties.

Blennerhassett who had remained seated up to this time, arose from his chair and said in an excited manner: "Sir! What do you mean?"

Graham replied, coolly: "But in your case, as you are not a suspected party, I throw off my disguise." Blennerhassett inquired, his ire still rising, “If I am not a suspected party, why come here at all?"

Graham advanced until he reached the end of the table. Then he raised his right hand, and pointing with his forefinger at Blennerhassett said, dramatically: "Because there is a dark and portentous storm-cloud gathering in the horizon which will burst in the near future and cause sad fatalities within that unsuspecting circle your home. The government sends me not to suspect you, but to warn you!"

At this point, Blennerhassett's natural politeness asserted itself. He motioned his visitor to a chair not far removed from his own, which he resumed. "Were I really in danger of being innocently drawn into a questionable proceeding, this solicitude of the government would be paternal, friendly, and worthy of my

deepest gratitude. Such not being the case, I have no such feelings of gratitude. I will admit that I have united with Colonel Burr in a plan for colonizing and improving a large tract of country, and Colonel Burr has already paid a Kentucky gentleman forty thousand dollars for it."

Is

Graham now propounded an inquiry: "And what reason does Burr give for buying this land? he going to found an empire?"

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Yes," was the reply.

"This is a confession," said Graham to himself; then aloud: "So Burr has spoken of his designs?

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Blennerhassett felt impelled to make some explanation. Colonel Burr and myself have a design in common; to found an empire of sturdy yeomanry-willing emigrants from oppression in Europe. We shall sell this land in hundred acre lots for farms."

At this, Graham remarked, in a satirical tone: "And you two gentlemen propose to govern this country within a country?

Blennerhassett replied: "No, not that entirely; we hope to make a million dollars by the scheme."

"And this, you think, is all?" asked Graham, still retaining the satirical tone which he had assumed.

Blennerhassett arose and said in a stern but dignified manner: "It is all-of my plans, of my admissions and of our interview. Do you know the way out, sir?"

Graham bowed: "Thank you, yes." Then he said to himself," and the way in again.'

As Graham placed his finger upon the door-latch he turned to Blennerhassett: "I can take a hint, sir."

Blennerhassett threw himself into his armchair, apparently weary of the interview, and resumed his consideration of the map before him. As Graham's words fell upon his ear he said, without looking up: "Take it then-and your departure at the same time, sir."

Graham released his hold upon the door-latch. He advanced a few steps towards Blennerhassett. "As you say, sir, but when the President of the United States instructs me, I shall make bold to call on you again. Good morning, sir." The door closed behind him.

Blennerhassett sat for a few moments with his head resting upon his hand, evidently in deep thought. Then he leaned back in his chair and said, reflectively: "Am I mistaken in this man, Burr? I think not. I wish all men were as frank and honorable. No! such a man could not be base-no such loving father could intentionally bring dishonor on such a daughter. This suspicion of Burr and his friends is but part of a system of political and social ostracism. Perhaps President Jefferson, successful as he is, is yet jealous of his defeated rival, and hopes to crush him utterly. If that is his scheme, he will find that a Blennerhassett will not aid him. The true Irish blood always boils when rulers plot against the people!"

In the drawing-room, another interview was taking place, the participants being Mrs. Blennerhassett and Kate.

"What a tender-hearted, loving father Colonel Burr is," remarked Mrs. Blennerhassett. "I was really glad that he decided to accompany his daughter part of the way, at least to Marietta; for I was afraid that she would break down utterly, and be unable to undertake the journey.'

"Your husband is tender-hearted, too," rejoined Kate. "He ran out of the house, without his hat, in the hot sun. When he reached the landing, the boat had gone; but he called out at the top of his voice: 'Good-bye, Ransome, remember me to your good old mother.' As we walked back to the house together, he explained to me that he had neglected to say good-bye to Ransome when the party started off."