Helen sat silent and pale for a moment, unable to formulate a reply to his outspoken remark. Presently she said, evasively: “Then you think both of them are in actual danger?” “Well, Pete hasn't one chance in a million,” Garner said, gently. “There is no use trying to hide that fact; and if Carson should happen to run across Dan Willis--well, one or the other would have to drop. Carson is in a dangerous mood. He believes as firmly in Pete's innocence as he does in his own, and if Dan Willis dared to threaten him, as he's likely to do when they meet, why, Carson would defend himself.” Helen drew her veil down over her eyes and Garner could see that she was quivering from head to foot. “Oh, it's awful--awful!” he heard her say, softly. Then she rose and moved to the open door, where she stood as if undecided what step to take. “Is there no way to get any--any news?” she asked, tremulously. “None now,” he told her. “In times of excitement over in the mountains, few people come into town; they all want to stay at home and see it through.” She stepped out on the sidewalk, and he followed her, gallantly holding his hat in his hand. Scarcely a soul was in sight. The town seemed deserted. “Madam, rumor,” Garner said, with a smile, “reports that your friend Mr. Sanders, from Augusta, is coming up for a visit.” “Yes, I had a letter from him this morning,” Helen said, in a dignified tone. “My father must have spoken of it. It will be Mr. Sanders' first visit to Darley, and he will find us terribly upset. If I knew how to reach him I'd ask him to wait a few days till this uncertainty is over, but he is on his way here--is, in fact, stopping somewhere in Atlanta--and intends to come on up to-morrow or the next day. Does--does Carson--has he heard of Mr. Sanders' coming?” “Oh yes, it was sprung on him this morning for a deadly purpose,” Garner said, with a significant smile. “The whole gang--Keith, Wade, and Bob Smith--were in here trying to keep him from going to the farm. They had tried everything they could think of to stop him, and as a last resort set in to teasing. Keith told him Sanders would sit in the parlor and say sweet things to you while Carson was trying to liberate the ex-slaves of your family at the risk of bone and sinew. Keith said Carson was showing the finest proof of fidelity that was ever given--fidelity to _the man in the parlor_.” “Keith ought to have been ashamed of himself,” Helen said, with her first show of vexation. “And what did Carson say?” “The poor chap took it all in a good-humor,” Garner said. “In fact, he was so much wrought up over Pete's predicament that he hardly heard what they were saying.” “You really think Carson is in danger, too?” Helen continued, after a moment's silence.