“Faith, an’ I’ll slap ye head off ye shoulders, if ye don’t kape still,” growled the trooper. “What do you want in here, yer low-life sluefooted Yankee?” “If it’s just the same ter ye, I wants Mr. John Graham, me dusky maiden!” John suddenly released himself from Stella’s clinging form and stepped through the door into the hall. “I’m John Graham. What is It?” “You’re my prisoner, sir, ye’ll have to come with me!” “I’m ready.” The sergeant took a step toward John, drawing a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. Stella sprang between them, her eyes blazing with rage: “How dare you enter my house without my permission?” The sergeant stopped in sheer amazement at the fury of her outburst. Recovering himself with a smile he replied: “Axin yer pardon m’am, it may be rude, but hit ain’t writ in our book of etiquette ter knock at the front door when we’re huntin’ fer a man charged with murder.” “But he’s not guilty!” Stella stormed. “I believe ye, Miss--ye’d have an easy time with me. But I ain’t the Coort!” “Stella, dear,” John pleaded. “Leave this house!” Stella cried with fury. “Sure m’am, but yer friend comes wid me,” said the sergeant, taking another step toward John. “I tell you he’s not guilty! It’s all a mistake. I’ll explain to your commander in the morning.” John smiled in spite of himself. “Stella dear, this is nonsense. The sergeant is acting under orders. I must go at once.” “Ye see, m’am!” said the sergeant with a polite bow. “All right then, sergeant,” said Stella, suddenly changing her tone, “I’ll excuse you for your rudeness; I’ll go with you.” “You mustn’t, my love,” John protested. “Yes, I’m going with you, but I’ve had nothing to eat. We must have supper--it’s waiting. Aunt Julie Ann, show the sergeant downstairs and give him supper. Mr. Graham will be ready in half an hour, sergeant.” The trooper looked doubtfully at John and at Stella, smiling. “All right m’am. It’s agin my principles as a soldier to leave a good supper to spoil--an’, axin yer pardon agin, I’ll station one o’ me men at each door an’ window to make sure we wont lose any of our party durin’ the festivities. It’ll be more sociable like to feel that we’re all here.” The sergeant placed his men and followed Aunt Julie Ann to the kitchen. Stella drew John to the old davenport: “Quick, John darling, through the old secret way--the way of love----” “Dearest!” he said reproachfully. She extended her hand to press the spring in the panel. “Quick, the soldier at the door can’t see you. I’ll stand in front. Wait for me in the vault. I’ll let them search the house and when they go, I’ll join you and we can leave before daylight.” “I must face it. There’s no other way.” “Yes, yes, this way--the old sweet way of love! I can’t let them take you--you’re mine now--I love you--I love you!--John, dear, he has big ugly handcuffs. He was going to put them on you--didn’t you see him?”--her voice faltered. “Yes, I saw him.”