"Nor have you seen any one from there?"
"I have not."
"Do you suppose danger is over?"
"Danger never will be over, until there has been a revolution in the government."
Long did Charles ponder over those mysterious words, and ask himself what they meant. He again conferred with his mother, and when she had heard all he had to tell, she was constrained to ask:
"Who are they?"
Mrs. Stevens, like her son, was too well bred to pry into the secrets of her guests. A few days later Mr. Waters again disappeared and was not seen for two months.
It was at the close of a sultry day in July that Mr. John Louder and his neighbor Bly were returning from Boston in a cart. As usual, their conversation was of the solemn kind, characteristic of the Puritan. The many mysteries in nature and out of nature formed their principal topic. Each had had his long, ardent conflict with sin and Satan.
Each was a firm believer in personal devils and legions of devils. The spirits of the air were thought to be all about them, even at that very moment.
"Neighbor Bly, I believe that she is a witch," said Louder.