.

"Sarah and her husband were slaves on a Georgia plantation before the
close of the American Civil War. They came to London as servants in the
family of an Englishman who had been traveling through the Southern
States. They afterward married in London.

"The colored woman would not listen to any talk of future repayment, but
so pressed upon me the acceptance of a few small coins that I took them.

"I had intended to go home and explain all, but felt much fear after
starting. How could my strange disappearance and long stay be explained?
What would be thought of my staying in this disreputable den with
criminals and social outcasts? To whom could appeal be made for proof,
but to this poor, old wench, who had been in the employment of the four,
two of whom are charged with highway robbery? Would not my friends and
acquaintances feel averse to further association with such a person?
They might suspect that both Oswald and I had practiced deceit in our
disappearances.

"These thoughts overwhelmed me with an unbearable burden of doubt and
dread. I became confused and bewildered. My sense of London locations
grew hazy.

"Calling to a passing 'coster,' I begged him to take me to some
respectable inn.

"He objected, but upon learning that I was sick and had lost my way,
consented.

"In about an hour he stopped at a cozy little house. Helping me to
alight, he told me that lodging could be obtained there at reasonable
rates. He generously declined to accept payment for the ride.

"I staggered into the hallway and sat down in a fainting condition upon
one of the stair steps. Still dizzy, with severe pains in the head and
sensations of nausea, I was shown a room.

"The proprietor gazed at me with surprise. Seeing my weakness, he left.

"Soon after, a servant called, but hearing that it was only a slight
attack, requiring quiet rest, disappeared.

"After several hours, I awoke with a start. The proprietor's wife,
portly and sympathetic, stood staring in at the half-open door. She
eagerly accepted my stammering invitation to come in and be seated.
Seeing that I was weak and embarrassed, she refrained from questions as
to my name or connections. I gave prompt assurances that my
indisposition was not serious.

"Soon a tempting meal was served. Following more sympathetic
suggestions, the kind-hearted lady withdrew.

"Left alone, I, late into the night, thought over my perplexing
situation, but could not devise any pla