“‘So help me Heaven, I swear I will!’
“‘Enough; I ask no more. Read that letter carefully while I re-arrange my hair, and then I will tell you what you are to do.’
“‘Lottie, tell me where you got this letter.’
“‘Ask me no questions, but trust me implicitly. I will not submit to a cross-examination, mind you.’
“‘Very good; issue your orders, and I will obey. Nothing can astonish me after looking at this letter.’
“‘That is a mere mole-hill, by a mountain, when compared with other things that I know.’
“‘Lottie, this letter means death; it smells of blood; it is as black as the deepest hell!’
“‘Hush! don’t become excited; coolness and courage will accomplish more than anger or excitement. The time has come to shake up the dry bones in the valley; God has spared me in order to make me His instrument in saving the innocent and punishing the guilty.’
“‘Lottie, I do believe you are aided in this business by inspiration directly sent to you from Heaven.’
“‘Perhaps so, and perhaps not; but Viola’s day of deliverance is near at hand; and the day of retribution for the real murderer is drawing near. Society has condemned me for associating with Viola—the purest, best, most patient, suffering angel that ever lived. I will make society blush with shame for its cruelty in this case.’