“‘She told me she would, and you may depend on her doing it; and the worst of it is, she will swear that she heard Miss Bramlett ask Bowles how much strychnine it would take to produce death. Oh, Lottie, what will be your fate if Viola should be found guilty? It makes me tremble to think of the awful consequences of such an unfortunate event--it would ruin all of us.’ “‘Eddie, don’t be alarmed; remember the old adage, “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” It will be time enough to lament the catastrophe when it occurs.’ “‘True enough, but I should like to see the man who never dreaded approaching evil.’ “‘You must learn a little more philosophy, master a little more patience, and don’t give credit to all you hear; but come--you must take me back to the jail. I promised Viola I would return before nine; and she would be disappointed if I failed.’ “I escorted her to the jail, and took my leave to return home and spend the night in sweet dreams about Lottie. What she could want with the private history of Miss Totten was a question that puzzled me. Who was Miss Totten? Who was assisting Lottie in secret was another problem I could not solve. It was evident to my mind that she was working in conjunction with some one behind the scenes. I was inclined to be angry because I had not been told everything. Why should they not confide in me? Wasn’t I as anxious to see Miss Bramlett’s innocence established as any one could be? Before I reached home I had worked myself into a towering passion, and had resolved to demand an explanation as soon as I should return from Vicksburg. Doctor Dodson met me at the front hall door, and I knew as soon as my eyes met his that he had something to say to me of importance. “‘Ah, ha! here we come, my boy! glad to see you--walk in. I have something to say to you, my boy--trouble brewing. Ah, ha! real trouble ahead--something must be done--no time to swap horses now, my boy. Lottie’s reputation is in danger--she must be saved--no wishy-washy work now. That dear girl is infatuated with Miss Bramlett; she must leave the jail at once, else she is a ruined woman. See to it, my boy--you are the man to do it--don’t you see? Ah, ha! you are the one to take her away from the jail. All sorts of scandalous tales afloat about Miss Bramlett; investigation says they are too true. Society will condemn Lottie; her name has already been mentioned unfavorably. Ah, ha! my boy, somebody will be killed before this business is ended.’ “‘Show me the villain who has dared breathe a word of suspicion on the fair name of my Lottie!’ “‘Hush, hush! my boy, that’s not the way to talk; let us take the proper steps to save her--she must not be permitted to associate with Miss Bramlett another day. I can’t see what Rockland means by allowing her to stay in jail with that unfortunate woman.’