“‘Your brother wouldn’t rob me, Mr. Semmes?’ he gasped forth.
“‘Certainly not,’ I replied; ‘but his obedience is due to the authorities that are uppermost. The Confederate flag waves over New Orleans, and will probably continue to wave. All your real estate has been or will be confiscated.’
“‘But it is worth two hundred thousand dollars!’ he exclaimed, in a tone that was almost a shriek.
“‘So much the better for the Confederate treasury!’ I replied.
“I then broached what you told me to in regard to his making a bona fide sale of the property to you. I offered him twenty thousand dollars in cash, if he would surrender all claim.
“‘Never! never!’ he exclaimed. ‘I’ll run my risk of the city’s coming back into our possession. I see through your brother’s trick.’
“‘Please recall that word, sir,’ I said, touching my wristbands.
“‘Well, your brother’s plan, sir. Will that suit you?’
“‘That will do,’ I replied. ‘My brother will pay your ten thousand dollars over to the Confederacy. But I am authorized to pay you a tenth part of that sum for your receipt in full of all moneys due to you for rents up to this time.’
“‘Ha! you Secessionists are not quite so positive, after all, as to your fortune!’ he exclaimed. ‘You’re a little weak-kneed as to your ability to hold the place,—eh?’