"It is high time all of us were leaving," remarked Mr. Huntsworth. "This is rather a breezy place for a conversation." Still conversing the three slowly descended the elevation, and then bidding them good-bye Jeanne returned to the La Chaise residence feeling more hopeful now that she knew that Bob and Mr. Huntsworth were in the city. As she entered the grounds Snowball dodged from behind one of the trees. "Lill' missy," she said, "go down behind de smokehouse de fust chance yer git. I'se got sumpin' ter tell yer." "All right, Snowball. I will go now," replied Jeanne rather startled. "Not now, missy. Deys done seen yer kum in. Go on ter yer room and then slip down arter yer stays dere awhile." Jeanne followed the girl's advice, and went on to the house. Madame Vance looked up as she entered. She gave a quick glance at the girl, and something in the latter's face caught her attention. "You look brighter," she commented. "Whom did you see?" "Many people, Madame," replied Jeanne somewhat shortly. "It seems to have helped you then. Did anything happen?" "Nothing," returned the girl drearily, her old look of hopelessness returning for she feared that Madame suspected something. "What could happen?" "Don't give me any impudence, Jeanne. I am not in the mood for it. Go at once to your room," commanded her aunt and Jeanne gladly obeyed. As soon as possible she crept softly downstairs and succeeded in getting out of the house unobserved by either Madame or Mrs. La Chaise and ran eagerly to the smokehouse. Snowball was waiting for her. "Missy," she said as soon as the girl reached her side, "hab yer seen yer brudder lately?" "No, Snowball. They won't let me," said Jeanne sadly. "Den yer had bettah see him as soon as yer can, fer dere's a powerful lot of meanness gwine on." "What do you mean?" cried Jeanne apprehensively. "Ole missus am a tryin' ter make him leab Massa Linkum's ahmy. I heerd Jeff tell Feliciane dat she was 'suadin' him awful ha'd. Den too I heare ole missus tell him myself dis mohnin' when dey sent me fer more wood and didn't notice pertic'lar dat I had kum back, ole missus say ter him when he done axed fer you, 'I done know what de mattah wid Jeanne,' she say. 'She done seem ter kyar ter see yer. I axed her ter kum dis mohnin', an' she say, 'no, I'm gwine fer a walk.' Den yer brudder say bery weak like, 'I can't understan' it. I tought she lubed me.'" "Did he say that?" cried Jeanne. "Oh, Snowball, what can I do? I must see him. Won't you help me?" "Yes, missy, I will. Eben ef dey kills me fer it," declared the girl fervently. CHAPTER XXVII A PRISONER OF WAR "But what can we do, Snowball?" asked Jeanne her voice trembling with emotion. "How can I see him?"