"And if there's an official coach that everybody knows as yours, it would allay suspicions to have it," and while he was still speaking she vanished to order the carriage. In five minutes it was at the side door, and Griswold and Barbara, fortified by the presence of Phoebe, left the governor's study. "If they don't know me, everybody in South Carolina knows Phoebe," said Barbara. "A capital idea. I can see by her eye that she's built for conspiracy." Griswold's horse was to be returned to town by a boy; and when this had been arranged the three entered the carriage. "The telegraph office, Tom; and hurry." CHAPTER VII AN AFFAIR AT THE STATE HOUSE Barbara filed the messages herself with the manager of the telegraph company, who lifted the green shade from his eyes and smiled upon her. "We'll rush them, Miss Osborne. Shall I telephone the answers if they come to-night? No; your father likes his telegrams delivered, I remember." "I will call for them," said Griswold. "Governor Osborne was only at home a few hours this evening and he left me in charge of these matters." The manager's face expressed surprise. "Oh! I didn't know the governor was at home," he remarked, as he finished counting the words and charging them against the state's account. "I will send them myself, and ask the operators at the other end to look lively about the answers. You are Mr.--" "This is Major Griswold," said Barbara, conferring the title with a vague feeling that it strengthened her cause. "Major," repeated the manager, and he nodded to Griswold with an air that implied his familiarity with official secrets. "You will call? In a couple of hours, Major." As Barbara and Griswold turned to leave, a young man who had been writing a message at the standing desk in the lobby lifted his hat and addressed Barbara. He was a reporter for the Columbia _Intelligencer_, and his manner was eager. "Oh, Miss Osborne, pardon me, but I've been trying to get you on the telephone. Can you tell me where your father is to-night?" "Father was in town only a few hours, and then left on state business." The young man glanced from one to the other. He was a polite youngster and Miss Barbara Osborne was--Miss Barbara Osborne, and this, to the people of South Carolina, was a fact of weight. Still the reporter twirled his hat uncertainly. "Well, I thought I had met all the trains, but I guess I missed the governor." "No; you didn't miss him," smiled Barbara, "Father drove in from the country and went back the same way. He didn't come into town at all." The news instinct is the keenest with which man may be blessed, and the reporter scented events. Griswold, seeing the light flash in the young man's eye, felt that here was an opportunity to allay public criticism. "Governor Osborne is engaged upon important public business. He will be absent from town for a day--perhaps a week. He will not return to Columbia until the business is thoroughly disposed of."