im! His story is a fabrication," returned De Guy.

"Not entirely. He knows too much for our safety."

"So much the worse for him!"

"Why? What would you do?"

"Shut his mouth! It matters not how. You do not want to--" and the
attorney drew his under lip beneath his upper teeth, and produced an
explosive sound, very much like the crack of a pistol, or a
champagne-cork, but which Jaspar did not mistake for the latter. "You
do not want to--_f-h-t_--him, if you can help it."

"It would be the safest way," returned the other, not at all embarrassed
by the attorney's ambiguous method of expressing himself.

"Perhaps not; though 'dead men tell no tales,' it is also true that
'murder will out.' Besides, I have conscientious scruples."

Jaspar sneered at this last remark; but the attorney was too useful an
adviser at that moment to be lightly provoked, and he suppressed the
angry exclamation which rose to his lips.

"How would the slave jail do?" said he, with a fiendish smile.

"Too public. Our object is to save the man's life,--an act of humanity;
but we must not endanger our own safety."

"No mortal man can ever know that he is confined there. The jail was
built under my own direction, and, owing to its peculiar construction,
not even the hands on the estate will know that it is occupied. I always
keep the keys myself."

"If you are satisfied, it is enough. But how can you get him in?"

"I can manage that, with your assistance," said Jaspar, who had already
arranged every particular. "But his wife?"

"His wife! Has he a wife?"

"Ay; and one who, if I mistake not, will give us more trouble than the
fellow himself."

"She must be caged with him."

"You say well, Mr. De Guy. But can you reconcile this advice with your
dainty humanity?" said Jaspar, with a sneer.

"Certainly, I can! It were cruelty to separate man and wife, even in
death. If I had a wife, I should be sorry to part with her under any
circumstances."

Jaspar grinned a sickly smile.

"But the plan!" continued the attorney. "This loving couple will not
willingly occupy your fancy apartment."

"Leave that to me. Go to the jail. Here are the keys. I will send them
to you. When they are in, lock the doors!"

De Guy smiled.

"You do not understand me?"

The attorney confessed that he did not.

"Nevertheless, go to the jail, and wait their coming. Unlock the doors,
and get out of sight. They will enter, like lambs."

Jaspar explained a lit