"First, then," said the Judge, "did Mr. S., before leaving, execute to you a bill of sale, or any other paper, by which to make the goods yours?" "No," replied the agent, "he did not; but when about to leave he handed me the key of his store, and told me to take care of the goods until his return, or until he might make some other arrangement." "Then," said the Judge, "the goods are no more legally yours than they are mine, and you are simply acting as guard over them. Have you not been selling some of the goods?" "Yes," replied the agent; "I understood the care to include the right to sell, and have accordingly sold of the goods whenever I had opportunity." "What have you done with the money received from sales?" said the Judge. The agent became confused, hesitated, stammered, and finally got out that he had "sent some of it to Mr. S., and still had some of it." "And it is your intention, I suppose." said the Judge, "to send it all to him so soon as you shall have sold all the goods?" "Certainly, certainly," said the agent; "it would all belong to him." "Then you think that no part of it would belong to his creditors; but that all should go to him?" said the Judge. "Well, yes, about so," said the agent; "for if he has paid his debts once into the Confederate treasury, as I suppose he has or will, it would seem unreasonable that he should pay them again to such Northern merchants as he may happen to owe." "Are you not aware," said the Judge, "that any law passed by the Confederate Congress is a nullity in Alexandria, and can have no possible effect on the question of contracts?" "Well, yes, no, yes; but Alexandria, you know, is in Virginia, and Mr. S., you know, is at Richmond."