"Who? My ole--" began Katie, opening her mouth, which remained open as if incapable of closing again, much less of uttering another syllable. "Yes, Judge Merlin is here." "My ole--Well, Lor'!" "Come, Katie." "My ole--If ebber I heard de like! What de name o' sense he doin' here? An' same time, what you doin' here yourself, Marse Ishmael?" "Katie, it is a long story. And I fancy we both, you and I, have much to tell. Will you come with me to my hotel?" "Will I come, Marse Ishmael? Why wouldn't I come den? Sure I'll come. I don't mean to do nuffin else; nor likewise let go of you, nor lose sight of you, de longest day as eber I lib, please my 'Vine Marster, don't I; so dere!" replied the old creature, tightening her clasp upon Ishmael's coat. "Oh, Katie, Katie, but that would be too much of a good thing," said Ishmael, smiling. "Dey done sent me arter pines. Fetch pines! I don't care as ebber I see a pine again as long as ebber I lib. I gwine to my own ole--, De Lor'! but de thought o' he being here!" cried Katie, breaking off in the middle of her speech again to give vent to her amazement. "Now, Katie, you must walk by my side; but, really, you must let go my coat," said Ishmael kindly, but authoritatively. "If I do, you promise me not to run away?" said Katie half pleadingly and half threateningly. "Of course I do." "Nor likewise wake me up to find it all a dream?" "Certainly not, Katie." "Well, den, I trust you, Marse Ishmael--I trust you," said Katie, releasing her hold on him. "'Dough, 'deed and 'deed," she added doubtingly, "so many queer things is happened of since I done left my ole--Goodness gracious me! to think o' he being here!--marster; and so many people and so many places has 'peared and dis'peared, dat, dere! I aint got no conference in nothing." "I hope that you will recover your faith with your happiness, Katie. And now come on, my good woman," said Ishmael, who felt extremely anxious to get from her, as soon as they should reach the hotel, some explanation of her presence on the island, and some news of her unfortunate mistress. They walked on as rapidly as the strength of the old woman would allow, for Ishmael would not permit her to put herself out of breath. When they reached the hotel Ishmael told Katie to follow him, and so led her to her master's apartments. They stopped outside the door. "You must remain here until I go in and see if the judge has returned from his ride from the bank. And if he has, I must prepare him for your arrival here; for your master has aged very much since you saw him last, Katie, and the surprise might hurt him," whispered Ishmael, as he turned the doorknob and went in. The judge had just returned. He was seated at the table, counting out money. "Ha, Ishmael, my boy, have you got back?" he asked, looking up from his work.