This young lady now spent most of her time at home. She had hardly recovered from the shock of the tragedy; and her imagination had conjured up a visit from the sheriff for her part therein. Instead it was only that splendid Mat Bailey, flicking the dust from his boots with his handkerchief, and mustering up courage to knock at the door! How glad she was to see him! And Mat thought that she looked very sad and pretty! She conducted him to the parlor, and proffered the seat of honor, a hair-cloth rocking-chair. "Let me call Mother. She will be so glad to hear about her friends in Graniteville." "I'd rather see you alone, if you don't mind." And Mat blushed through his tan, but assured himself that duty prompted, if pleasure did consent. It was the best arrangement all round, as "Bed-bug Brown" himself thought,--for this worthy gentleman was eaves-dropping in the cellar, with only a floor of thin boards between himself and these interesting young people. Under other circumstances Miss Slocum would have been fascinated at the idea of a _tete-a-tete_ with this interesting, stalwart man of the mountains. But something in his manner, and her own overwrought nerves, told her there was trouble ahead. Should she run away, should she use a woman's wiles in self-defense, or should she confide in this handsome man? Distracted by these conflicting thoughts, she presented a charming picture of alarmed innocence, as Bailey thought; and his heart yearned to offer protection. "Miss Slocum, I don't know how to put it, and I don't know what mean things you are going to think of me"-- And now Mamie began to sympathize with the big stage-driver, who seemed as much embarrassed as she. "The fact is, Mr. Francis asked me to see you." "Mr. Francis is a good friend of mine. He secured the school at Graniteville for me." Bailey, grateful for this help, continued: "He thought I might inquire about a matter"-- "Heavens!" thought Mamie, "does Mr. Francis know about my trouble? Mat Bailey must have told him!" If her intuition guided her truly in this matter, it no less truly recognized a friend in Mat. "The fact is"--he began, and then he hesitated. "Damn it!" he thought, "how could he say things that would hurt this lovely creature?" "Mr. Bailey, I think I know what you mean. You want to know why I told that robber about Mr. Cummins's valise. It has nearly worried me to death; and I don't wonder you all demand an explanation." "Don't put it that way, I beg of you, Miss Slocum!" exclaimed Mat, greatly relieved that she had come to his rescue, but no less greatly concerned that he should appear in the hateful character of accuser and informer. "We don't demand anything. We know you didn't have anything to do with those robbers. Mr. Cummins was a friend of yours; and you wouldn't do nothing to injure an enemy!" Mat could use negatives properly when not excited.