"Ah guess de hants done got yo', Boss. Mah Missey an' me done fine yo' layin' in de road in front of dat tree wif a rubber t'ing in yo' han'."
"A rubber thing?" exclaimed Forrester. "What do you mean?"
"Ah dunno what it is, Boss."
"Where is it now?" asked Forrester.
"We-all done got it downstairs, Boss. Ah'll get it and show yo'."
Joshua left the room. He returned presently with a large, circular piece of rubber which he placed in Forrester's hands. Forrester examined it carefully. He found that it was flexible, somewhat oval in form, and concave. At the back a piece of light rubber tubing, about one foot in length, was attached. Forrester placed the rubber over his face for a moment and found that its form made it fit like a mask. He withdrew it hastily when he heard an exclamation at his side. It was Mary Sturtevant, and as Forrester glanced up he saw her looking at him with startled eyes.
"Joshua!" she cried, turning to the negro, "how did Mr. Forrester get that?"
"Ah done brung it to him, mam."
The girl seized the piece of rubber from Forrester and handing it to Joshua, directed, "Take it away instantly, Joshua. Put it in my room."
"Yassum!" and Joshua darted out of the room, mumbling to himself.