“—— me!” he cried. “I can’t see any snake in the bottom of that glass! It rings honest, even if you and I don’t agree on what ‘best success’ is. You’re an honest man, Sevier, and we’ll drink it with honesty in our hearts. And I thank you for the spirit which prompts it.” The glasses were emptied just as the servant glided in and passed to his master and gave him a written message. McGillivray read it and frowned blackly, then glanced furtively at Sevier. He hesitated and twisted the paper about his fingers; then he brusquely commanded— “Show him in.” Sevier appeared indifferent, but from the corner of his eye he watched the emperor’s sudden change of expression. Something in the note had aroused the Indian blood in him, had caused him to entertain a suspicion. The door opened and Polcher entered, bowing low to McGillivray and darting a look of hatred at the borderer. McGillivray motioned for him to advance but did not ask him to be seated. He bluntly began: “Your note says you have something to tell me about Mr. Sevier which I should know at once. Why didn’t you tell it to me when you first arrived?” “Your Majesty, the surprise of not finding Major Tonpit here, the surprise of finding the man Jackson here, drove it from my mind until John Sevier came. Ever since he entered your Majesty’s home I have been trying to get a word to you. Only now have I succeeded.” “Very well; go on. What is it?” Sevier eyed Polcher closely, anticipating what was coming. The tavern-keeper gazed only at McGillivray and said: “The man Jackson, acting under Chucky Jack’s orders, killed your Creek messenger. He was seen to do it by a settler, who was murdered to close his mouth. But before the witness died he told me of the crime.” “What? What’s this?” roared McGillivray, turning to glare at the composed face of the borderer. “What have you to say, Sevier?” And the long hands opened and closed as if searching for a deadly weapon or an enemy’s throat. “Do you believe it?” Sevier quietly asked. “You heard the charge. Answer!” thundered the emperor. “Pardon me; but if you already believe it, it is useless for me to answer,” Sevier replied in the same level voice. McGillivray was nonplussed by this method of defence and finally demanded of Polcher— “How do you know this to be so?” “I saw the messenger’s scalp on Sevier’s table in the court-house.” “——! Sevier, you must speak now. Polcher either has hung himself or you,” McGillivray bitterly exclaimed. “My messenger has not returned. I have thought nothing of his absence because he was to guide the Tonpits here and the woman would prevent a quick journey. Now answer the charge.” “A scalp of a Creek was placed on my table in the court-house by Polcher,” the borderer slowly informed. “I had never seen it until it was placed there by Polcher. The Creek would not have been killed if you had sent him openly to Jonesboro. I knew nothing about him until he was dead. You sent him by stealth—”