Then came from an outer chamber, grated by the iron door of a cell where chance prisoners were sometimes locked, and hung with gilded stars, and firemen's banners, a young figure diminutive, and of pale and sickly features. "Mary, my poor child!" said Chester, but she only lifted her large eyes to his an instant, and going up to the railing held to it with her hand. "May I be sworn as those men have been?" she said, addressing the startled Mayor in the same sweet tones that had claimed his compassion months before. "You! what can you know of the matter?" said his honor sharply, and almost thrown off his guard. "Not much, but something I do know," answered the child meekly. "May I speak?" "But you are too young--how old are you?" cried the Mayor, hoping to have found a legal reason for sending away the obtrusive little imp, as he called the child in his heart. "I am twelve, sir--just twelve." The Mayor cast an uneasy glance at the Chief's closet and then at the child. "Sir," said Chester, "I do not know what this poor child desires to say, but it is my wish that she be heard." "If she is offered as a witness there is no disputing her right to speak," replied his honor, but with a disturbed countenance, and taking a little worn Bible, marked with a broad cross from the desk before him, his honor held it toward the child. She took the Bible between both her hands and pressed her lips reverently upon it. "Now," said the Mayor, "what do you wish to say?" "It was so still out yonder that I could not help but hear--poor Mrs. Chester was very anxious, and I thought perhaps some one might give me good news to carry home." "This has nothing to do with the matter, child." "I know," replied the little girl, meeting the Mayor's rebuff with her usual humility. "But I thought perhaps you might ask how I came by the door. Well, sir, I heard what these men said about Mr. Chester. I knew their voices, sir, for I have heard them before, on the night they were talking about, as they stood under the great elm tree waiting for Mr. Chester to come out." "The great elm tree--and how came you there, Mary?" exclaimed Chester, greatly surprised by the child's appearance.