“I will give you a hundred dollars if you will tell me who she is.” “I could not do it, sir, if you were to offer me a thousand dollars!” “Does she reside in Memphis?” “No, sir.” “Where does she reside, then?” “I had rather not tell you that, sir.” “Do you know the man who personates Napoleon?” “Yes, sir.” “Will you tell me who he is?” “That is also a secret which I am not at liberty to reveal.” “Can you tell me whether or not he got on this boat at Memphis?” “I could tell you, sir, but I must not talk about him. You will soon know all about it.” “What right had you to go into that gentleman’s state-room and conceal yourself under his bed?” “How did you know I did that, sir?” “I heard you tell the lady in the black domino about it.” “I hope, sir, you did not play the eavesdropper?” “No; but you and the lady talked about the matter where I could not help hearing it.” “I hope, sir, that you will not say anything about what you heard, because if you do you will be sorry for it when you know what caused me to go into his room.” “You have been watching Napoleon by the lady’s directions--is that not the way of it?” “Since you have made the discovery, it is useless for me to deny it; but, sir, I beg you to say nothing about it.” “How long do you want me to keep the secret?” “But a very short time, sir. That man who represents the emperor is a very grand villain, and if you were to reveal what you know, it might upset all the plans we have been arranging to capture him.” “Why not capture him now?” “The lady in the black domino is waiting for something to happen which I am not permitted to tell.” “Very well, my little friend, I promise you I will not reveal your secret.” “I am very much obliged to you, sir, and you shall know all about the matter very soon. I will go now, sir, if you have nothing more to say to me.” As the little fellow bowed politely and moved away, Scottie heaved a sigh and said: “Heigh ho! was anybody ever so inundated with mystery as we are?” “If they were, I should pity them.” “I must say that is a very polite, manly little fellow; and that head of his is full of brains.” “Yes, and he has been playing a very deep game, if I am not very much mistaken.” “What in Heaven’s name does it all mean?” “I would give my bottom dollar to be able to answer the question.” “Let us try and pump the secret out of Brazzleman--I dare say he knows all about it.” “I have been trying to get him to tell me who the lady is, but he positively refuses to do it--in fact, I do not believe he, or the captain either, knows who she is.” “Look yonder, will you--that mysterious woman has been watching us all the time. She is going to that boy to find out what we have been saying to him. I declare, this is really provoking; and I am not willing to submit to it any longer!” “Can you suggest any plan to get rid of the nonsense?” “Suppose we complain to Captain Quitman?”