"Don't mention it, Guly; a mere trifle." "It was a great deal to me; and now, Wilkins, would you just as soon lie down by me as to sleep in your own bed? It must be nearly morning, but this is a gloomy place to lie in alone, with only a troubled heart for company." "True, Guly; I will be with you in a moment." They lay down together, and soon slept, side by side, exhausted by watching and weariness; and the boy's fair head was pillowed on the man's breast, rising and falling there like a golden shield, resting on the bounding heart, "keeping the evil out." CHAPTER XXI. "'Tis done! I saw it in my dreams. No more with hope the future beams; My days of happiness are few. Chilled by misfortune's wintry blast, My dream of life is overcast. Love, hope, and joy, adieu-- Would I could add, remembrance too." Byron. Arthur was at his place in the morning, almost as soon as Jeff opened the door. His face was pale and haggard, and wore upon it a look of unbroken gloom, and his eye wandered restlessly, as if dreading to meet another's gaze. He had arrived at his post so early, however, that no clerks were yet in the store, and for some time his only companion was the busy negro. "Jeff," said he, at last, in a hesitating tone. "Yes, massa, I'se here, sah." "Did you sleep here behind the store-door last night, as usual?" "Yes, massa, ob course." "Did my brother go to bed early that you know of?" "Well, no, massa, he didn't. He and Massa Wilkins sat back dar by de fire pretty late, sah!" "Indeed! what could they have been talking of to keep them sitting up?" "Well, massa, I don't 'spect 'twould be berry hon'ble in me to tell, case I know dey taut I was sleepin', and didn't know I couldn't help hearin' ebery word dey sed." Arthur blushed as the thought crossed his mind, that the negro's sense of honor was higher than his own; but his curiosity overcame his scruples, and he went on questioning Jeff, as he rubbed up and trimmed the lamps for evening. "Perhaps you heard my name, Jeff, eh?" "Well, 'casionally, I 'spect I did, sah. Bery common ting for brudders to talk of one anudder," said Jeff, rubbing away on the lamp he held with redoubled earnestness. "Did Mr. Wilkins leave the store, that you know of, after it was closed?" "Well, I bleeb he did, sah! He couldn't a come in widout he'd been out, and I know one ob my toes got pinched in de crack ob de door by his coming in when 'twas most mornin'." "My brother was not with him then, was he?" "Well, I had my eyes shut, sah! and it was too dark to see if I'd a had 'em open. 'Alus de darkest hour 'fore day,' you know, sah." "You don't know whether my brother asked Mr. Wilkins to go out, or not, I suppose?" "Really, couldn't tell anyting 'bout it, sah," said Jeff, mounting on a wooden stool, and taking down another lamp carefully. As he gained the floor his eyes met Arthur's face.