“I told you so,” said Mr. Arrelsford truthfully, triumphantly, and most aggravatingly under the circumstances, taking the folded paper. “Corporal,” he added, “while I read this, see if he has got anything more.”
A further search, however, revealed nothing. Arrelsford had scarcely completed the reading of the brief note when the Corporal reported:
“That is all he has, sir.”
Arrelsford nodded. The men had released Jonas, but stood by his side, and the Secret Service Agent now approached him.
“Who was this for?” he asked sharply and tensely.
The negro stared at him stolidly and silently, his face ashen with fright.
“Look here,” continued the other, “if you don’t tell me it is going to make it pretty bad for you.”
The words apparently made no further impression upon the servant. Arrelsford tried another tack. He turned to Mrs. Varney, who was completely dismayed at this breach of trust by one who had been attached to the family fortunes for so many years.
“I am right sorry, ma’am,” he said very distinctly, “but it looks like we have got to shoot him.”
“Oh!” cried Mrs. Varney at that. “Jonas, speak!”