“‘I’ll have to give it to you, I reckon; I suppose I must be kind to my old thief, as he has been away so long.’ “Then she approached me, with her hands covered with flour, and held up her pretty lips to receive my kiss. “‘There, now, go and grind some spice; be in a hurry--I shall need it soon.’ “I obeyed orders and ground the spice. “‘Now go and tell the steward to have a small table carried to Viola’s room, and a nice white cloth spread on it; get four plates, four napkins, four goblets, and everything necessary for four distinguished guests.’ “I went to the steward, and he assisted in arranging the dinner table as Lottie had directed. This was the first time I had helped her to prepare a dinner since the old days of our tramphood, and it naturally caused my mind to stray back to those happy hours, making me forget the great troubles by which we then were surrounded. As soon as I had finished executing Lottie’s orders, I re-appeared in the cook-house, where I found her very busy with the preparation of the dinner. “‘How are they getting on, Eddie?’ “‘How is who getting on?’ “‘Why, Harry and Viola, of course.’ “‘Oh, they are getting on splendidly, I judge from the appearance of things; the hanks were terribly tousled, the balls all scattered about on the floor, and Viola’s cheeks showed a little crimson tinge; in fact, she blushed perceptibly as I entered the room. Would you not say that was a favorable omen?’ “‘The very best in the world.’ “‘That was a skillful maneuver, Lottie, to put them to winding yarn; nothing could have been better.’ “‘I thought so; because if we can get them to talking freely all will come right.’ “‘They were conversing when I went in, and Viola dropped the yarn on the floor.’ “‘Ah! if we can just control Harry we shall all be happy once more. If Viola would only tell what she knows about the death of her brother, Harry would be able to establish her innocence and take her out of prison. She, of course, can never be happy while this dreadful suspicion hangs over her.’ “‘What is it that you think she knows and refuses to tell?’ “‘Oh, don’t ask me to tell you what I know. I am somewhat of a detective myself, and I’ll have you know that I can see into a mill-stone as deeply as anybody. You shall hear from me at the proper time; the murderer of that poor little boy is not in this jail by a long way.’ “‘What on earth do you mean? Do you know who is the guilty party?’ “‘I would stake my life on it.’ “‘If you know who committed that cruel murder why do you allow this poor girl to remain in jail?’ “‘Ah! there’s the rub; we must be able to make the proof before we flush the covey.’ “‘Have you mentioned to Harry anything on this subject?’ “‘Not a word; he was so much excited I was afraid he would commit some foolish blunder and spoil everything.’