He untied the handkerchief, took out the paper-weight, and underneath it found Clara’s note, which he opened and read. Then turning to the lawyer, he said: “I congratulate you, Mr. Semmes. You were right in your conjecture.”
None but Semmes and Peek noticed the slightly sarcastic stress which Vance put on this last word from his lips.
Vance now knelt on one knee, and resting on the other the fore-legs of the bloodhound, patted his head and praised him in a manner which Victor, by his low, gratified whine, seemed fully to comprehend and appreciate.
Peek, who had been restless ever since the words “21 Camelia Place” had fallen on his ears, here said: “Lend me your revolver, Mr. Vance, and don’t leave till I come back. I promise not to rob you of your share in this work.”
“I will trust you with the preliminary reconnoissance, Peek,” said Vance, giving up the weapon. “Be quick about it.”
Peek beckoned to Antoine, and the two went out, followed by the bloodhound.
Mr. Semmes, now realizing that by some display of zeal, even if it were superserviceable, he might get rid of the ill odor which would follow from lending himself to Ratcliff’s schemes, approached Vance and said: “Colonel, it was only quite recently that I heard of the suspicions that were entertained of foul play in the case of that little girl claimed by Ratcliff as a slave. Immediately I looked into the notary’s record, and I there found that the slave-child is set down as a quadroon; a misstatement which clearly invalidates the title. I have also discovered a letter, written in French, and published in L’Abeille, in which some important facts relative to the loss of the Pontiac are given. The writer, Monsieur Laboulie, is now in the city. Finally, I have to inform you that Mr. Ripper, the auctioneer who sold the child, is now in this house. I would suggest that both he and the Mrs. Gentry, who brought her up, should be secured this very evening, as witnesses.”
“I like your suggestion, Mr. Semmes,” said Vance, in a tone which quite reassured the lawyer; “go on and make all the investigations in your power bearing on this case. Get the proper affidavit from Monsieur Laboulie. Secure the parties you recommend as witnesses. I employ you professionally.”
In his rapid and penetrating judgments of men, Vance rarely went astray; and when Semmes, who was thinking of a little private business of his own with the President of the Lafayette Bank, remarked, “If you can dismiss me now, Colonel, I will meet you an hour hence at any place you name,” Vance knew the old lawyer would keep his promise, and replied: “Certainly, Mr. Semmes. You will find me at 21 Camelia Place.”
Peek and Antoine, taking a carriage, drove at full speed to the house designated. Here they found to their surprise in the mulatto Sam, a member of a secret society of men of African descent, bound together by faith in the speedy advent of the United States forces, and by the resolve to demand emancipation. Peek at once satisfied himself that Clara was in no immediate danger. He found that Sam had withdrawn the bullets from Ratcliff’s revolver, and was himself well armed, having determined to shoot down Ratcliff, if necessary, in liberating Clara. In pursuance of his plan he had lured the negrowoman, Agnes, up-stairs, under the pretence already mentioned. Here he had gagged, bound, and confined her securely. Hardly had he finished this job, when, looking out of the window, he had seen Peek and Antoine get out of a carriage and reconnoitre the house. Instantly he had run down-stairs, opened the front door, and made himself known.