Arthur felt ill and much fatigued when he retired to rest, and was restless and disturbed with fever throughout the night. He had overtasked his delicate frame, yet scarce recovered from the effects of recent suffering, and he arose in the morning with a feeling of prostration that he could with difficulty overcome. However, he refreshed himself with a cup of tea, and prepared to call upon Miss Ayleff. It was but seven o'clock, a somewhat early hour for a morning visit, but the occasion was one for little ceremony. As he was on the point of leaving his room, there was a peremptory knock at the door, and, upon his invitation to walk in, a stranger entered. It was a gentlemanly personage, with a searching eye and a calm and quiet manner. Arthur was vexed to be delayed, but received the intruder with a civil inclination of the head, somewhat surprised, however, that no card had been sent to give him intimation of the visit.
"Are you Mr. Arthur Wayne?" inquired the stranger.
"I am he," replied Arthur. "Be seated, sir."
"I thank you. My name is ——. I am a deputy United States marshal of this district."
Arthur bowed, and awaited a further statement of the purpose of his visit.
"You have lately arrived from Virginia, I understand?"
"A few days since, sir—from a brief sojourn in the vicinity of Richmond."
"And yesterday received a communication from that quarter?"
"I did. A letter from an intimate acquaintance."
"My office will excuse me from an imputation of inquisitiveness. May I see that letter?"