"What is your name, boy?" The negro answered promptly: "Dick, sah." "Dick who?" "Just Dick, sah." "Your other name?" "Slippery Dick." The general was interested instantly. "Oh, Slippery Dick." The career of the notorious negro was partially known to him. Dick had been the reporter's friend for many years and in dull times more than the truth had been told of Slippery Dick. "Well, this begins to look probable, Edward; I begin to think you may be right." "I am not mistaken, general. If there is a mistake, it is not mine." "What dey want me for, Marse Evan? I ain't done nothin'." "A house has been broken into, Dick, and you are the man who did it." "Who, me? Fo' Gawd, Marse Evan, I ain't broke inter no man's house. It warn't me--no sah, no sah." "We will see about that. Now I will give you your choice, Dick; you can go with me, Gen. Evan and I will protect you. If the person who accuses you says you are innocent I will turn you loose; if you are not willing to go there I will take you to jail; but, willing or unwilling, if you make a motion to escape, I will put a bullet through you before you can take three steps." "I'll go with you, Marse Evan; I ain't de man. I'll go whar you want me to go." "Get your dogs together and take the road to town. I will show you when we get there." They went with him to where his dogs, great and small, were loudly baying at the root of a small persimmon tree. Dick looked up wistfully. "Marse Evan, deir he sots; you don't spect me ter leave dat possum up dere?" The old man laughed silently. "The ruling passion strong in death," he quoted to Edward, and then sternly to Dick: "Get him and be quick about it." A moment more and they were on the way to the horses. "I had an object," said Evan, "in permitting this. As we pass through the city we present the appearance of a hunting party. Turn up your coat collar and turn down your hat to avoid the possibility of recognition." They reached the city, passed through the deserted streets, the negro carrying his 'possum and surrounded by the dogs preceding the riders, and, without attracting more than the careless notice of a policeman or two, they reached the limits beyond. Still Dick was not suspicious; the road was his own way home; but when finally he was ordered to turn up the long route to Ilexhurst, he stopped. This was anticipated; the general spurted his horse almost against him. "Go on!" he said, sternly, "or by the Eternal you are a dead man! Edward, if he makes a break, you have the ex----" "Marse Evan, you said breakin' in 'er house." Dick still hesitated. "I did; but it was the house of the dead."